Austria’s broadband strategy focuses on the nationwide supply of Gigabit connections (fixed and mobile) by 2030.
Summary of broadband development in Austria
Austria's national broadband strategy aims at full coverage of symmetric Gigabit connections (fixed and mobile) throughout the country by 2030. It opts for market-driven network roll-out and intends to confine the use of public funds to where they are absolutely necessary, in particular, for areas with the least chance of benefiting from private sector investments. In November 2021, the new telecommunication law based on the European Electronic Communications Code, entered into force. The law is a key pillar to create an investment-friendly environment for the private sector.
National broadband strategy and policy
Responsible authorities
- Federal Ministry for Finance (Bundesministerium für Finanzen) advances digitalisation and digital transformation in Austria. It is responsible for improving the framework conditions for digital transformation and for coordinating and implementing e-government solutions.
- Broadband Competence Office (Breitbandbüro) is part of the Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium für Finanzen) and acts as a national competence centre for communities, federal states and operators in order to promote the deployment of broadband networks in Austria. It supports federal states in their broadband development, establishes contacts between local authorities and operators and answers questions from the communities and citizens.
- Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications RTR (Rundfunk- und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH) acts as the NRA for regulating the telecommunication market.
Main aims for broadband development
Austria's broadband strategy 2030 was adopted in August 2019. It aims at full coverage of symmetric Gigabit connections throughout the country by 2030. In addition to the long-term objective, the 2030 strategy also includes five concrete interim goals:
- Phase 1: Full-coverage of ultra-fast broadband connections (100 Mbps) by the end of 2020
- Phase 2: Market launch of 5G in all capital cities by the end of 2020
- Phase 3: Austria as 5G pilot country until the beginning of 2021
- Phase 4: 5G services on major traffic connections by the end of 2023
- Phase 5: Nationwide Gigabit connections, including nationwide coverage of 5G, by the end of 2025
Digital connectivity is one of focal points of the Digital Austria Act - the Federal Government's digital work programme. The goal is to have fixed and mobile gigabit-capable connections available nationwide in the area of communications infrastructure by 2030.
Main measures for broadband development
- The broadband atlas is the central information platform on broadband coverage in Austria. Using maps, the coverage for fixed and mobile broadband networks as well as all funded project of the broadband initiatives are made publicly accessible. All data from the broadband atlas is available for download on Open Data Austria.
- The Forum Mobile Communication (FMK) operates a transmitter infrastructure mapping (Senderkataster) covering mobile and radio transmitter stations.
- The RTR Netztest informs users about the current service quality (including upload, download, ping, signal strength) of their Internet connection. In addition, a map view and statistics of previous tests can be accessed.
- A task force, the Internet Infrastructure Austria 2030 Platform (Plattform für Infrastrukturausbau PIA 2030), has been established to accelerate VHCN deployment. The task force will coordinate the interaction between the federal government, states, municipalities, cities, the public, authorities and the private sector and help further develop legal, regulatory and technical measures in the context of broadband deployment.
- Roadmap to implement the Connectivity Toolbox: Austria announced plans to address the decentralised permit granting procedure – responsibilities are distributed between the federal, state and local authorities. Some of the measures considered are (i) the introduction of permit exemptions, (ii) fast track procedures, and (iii) promoting the application of existing lighter procedures for granting permits with all responsible stakeholders as well as a digital administrative platform.
National broadband financial instruments
Initiative Broadband Austria 2020
Since 2015 with the support of the State Aid programs employing funds from the proceeds of the past 4G spectrum auctions (first digital dividend), many private operators and communities invest in fibre to the home:
- 500+ funding recipients in 1,500+ projects with 1.1 billion euros in funding commitments (state, federal states and EAFRD funds),
- Six federal state owned companies founded,
- Venture capitalists entered the Austrian Telecom market,
- More than 1.1 million citizens will benefit in around 1,500 of the 2,100 municipalities,
- As part of the BBA 2020 Connect program over 300 schools and 100 SMEs will be connected to fibre.
Initiative Broadband Austria 2030
In April 2021, the government announced that EUR 1.4 billion will be invested in the deployment of fibre in underserved regions. The funds derive from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (EUR 891 million), the proceeds of the 5G spectrum auctions (EUR 389 million) and additional EUR 166 million from the national budget. This measure addresses the Austrian backlog in the deployment of rural gigabit capable access networks and therefore supports the objectives of the Austrian Broadband Strategy 2030 and the EU Gigabit objectives.
Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRF)
Connectivity is addressed by supporting widespread deployment of gigabit-capable access networks and accounts for the largest share of the digital-related expenditure of the plan, recognising the need to increase coverage with fixed VHCN in rural areas. The funds from RRF will support roll-out of gigabit enabled access networks to 200,000 households (reaching a total coverage of 50% of households), with a budget of EUR 891 million. Austria’s RRP has a total value of EUR 4.5 billion.
Data on broadband development and technologies in Austria
For the latest data on broadband coverage, subscriptions and penetrations, coverage of different broadband technologies check the country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless broadband
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments, please consult the European 5G Observatory report.
National and EU publications and press documents
English
- Broadband Investment Handbook
- Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2022
- Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
German
- Breitbandstrategie 2030
- Digital Austria Act
- Breitband in Österreich - Evaluierungsbericht 2022
- Studie Open Access Netze für Österreich
- Breitbandstrategie Burgenland 2030
- Breitbandinfrastruktur für das Bundesland Kärnten
- NÖ Breitbandstrategie
- Breitbandbüro Oberösterreich
- Breitbandausbau in Salzburg
- Breitbandinitiative Steiermark
- Breitbandförderungsprogramm Tirol
- Breitband Vorarlberg
Contact information
Broadband Competence Office of the Ministry of Finance - Telecommunications Policy and ICT-Infrastructure
Contact via email
Address: Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 51433 506929
Visit the website
Federal Ministry for Finance (Bundesministerium für Finanzen)
Contact via email
Address: Johannesgasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 51433-0
Visit the website
Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (Rundfunk & Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR)
Contact via email
Address: Mariahilfer Straße 77-79, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 58058 0
Visit the website
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Big Picture
Find current information on broadband development in each country, as well as national strategies and policies for developing broadband.
See Also
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Slovenia opts for technological neutrality and market dynamics in developing broadband networks, in particular infrastructure- and service-based competition.
Slovakia has set the long-term objective of providing all households with access to ultra-fast internet by 2030.
Romania focuses on building up a national broadband network as a step towards achieving the EU connectivity targets.
The Agenda Portugal Digital and the National Strategy for Connectivity in Very High Capacity Electronic Communication Networks for 2023-2030 shape development of digital infrastructure in Portugal.
Poland’s national broadband plan 2025 is in line with the EU’s Gigabit Society targets.
Expanding reliable and strong digital infrastructure and closing the digital divide is in focus of the digital infrastructure policies in the Netherlands.
Malta’s broadband policy is technology-neutral and favours a competitive market environment.
The development of a communication infrastructure with a target of gigabit broadband access throughout the country is one of the priorities in the governmental programme of Luxembourg.
Lithuania aims to provide 100 Mbps by 2027 to rural areas as well supporting the Gigabit society targets 2025.
Latvia supports the Gigabit society targets and aims at 100 Mbps, upgradable to gigabit, for urban and rural areas and 5G coverage for all large urban areas.
The Italian Strategy for Ultra Broadband aims to provide gigabit connectivity to all by 2026.
The national broadband plan for Ireland foresees that by 2026 all premises in Ireland will have access to high-speed broadband.
Hungary’s National Digitalisation Strategy 2022-2030 aims to achieve a target of 95% of households covered by gigabit networks by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan 2021-2027 promotes the use of fixed very high capacity and 5G networks. The Greek Digital Transformation Bible 2020-2025 highlights connectivity as one of the five strategic axes and acknowledges the Gigabit Society 2025 targets.
The 2021 coalition agreement, the Digital Strategy and the Gigabit Strategy 2022 of the German Federal Government prioritise the nationwide supply of FTTH and 5G networks.
The Finnish authorities favour a competition-driven, fibre-based network roll-out assisted by public funds for underserved areas and advice for local municipalities on how to deploy broadband networks.
Estonia has established basic broadband coverage throughout the country. The Estonian Digital Agenda sets ambitious targets for 2030.
A number of political initiatives aiming at nation-wide fixed and mobile broadband coverage support Danish broadband goals. The Government works towards making Denmark a digital frontrunner by creating a foundation for Danish businesses to exploit digital technologies.
The National Plan for the Development of Very High Capacity Networks, approved in March 2021, defines the strategic approach of the Czech Republic to the construction of VHCN.
Cyprus’ broadband plan sets strategic objectives for 2021-2025 and includes legislative and regulatory interventions as well as practical support for the development of broadband infrastructure.
Croatian National Plan for Broadband Development 2021–2027 responds to the European Gigabit Society objectives 2025 and partially to the 2030 digital targets.
The National Broadband Infrastructure Plan for Next Generation Access "Connected Bulgaria" and the Policy on electronic communications were updated and adopted in August 2020.
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