Skip to main content
Shaping Europe’s digital future

Broadband: Choice of infrastructure

Broadband networks require different infrastructure types based on different logistic, economic or demographic conditions. Use the questions to help choose.

Guifi.Net: A citizen’s initiative to bring connectivity to rural Spain

fix-empty

When deciding on the appropriate first-mile (also called last-mile) infrastructure for a broadband network, the following questions should be answered:

  • What is the existing infrastructure available? Can it be upgraded to reach the Gigabit Society 2025 and Digital Compass 2030 objectives?
  • Is the connection to the end-user upgradeable?
  • Is the owner of the existing infrastructure interested in collaboration?
  • What are the needs of the territory in terms of type and quality of service?
  • Does the infrastructure provide affordable services for the local population and businesses?
  • How is the sustainability of the infrastructure to be assessed?
  • Is there sufficient funding for future-proof infrastructure?
  • Are there users in remote or sparsely populated areas?
  • What are the plans for the longer-term upgrade of interim-solutions?

For further details and examples please refer to the Broadband Investment Guide.

Latest News

PRESS RELEASE |
Commission adopts revised State aid rules for broadband networks

The European Commission has adopted a revised Communication on State aid for broadband networks. The revised Broadband Guidelines set out the rules under which the Commission will assess State aid measures notified by Member States to support the deployment and take-up of broadband networks in the EU.

Related Content

Big Picture

Broadband project planning

The Broadband planning section helps municipalities and other entities in their planning of successful broadband development projects.

See Also

Broadband: Plan definition

Key to successful regional broadband development is a politically-supported plan at local, regional or national level, that combines goals with specific needs and stakeholders.

Broadband: Action plan

The action plan details the costs, stakeholders, activities, coordination and monitoring involved in implementing the broadband strategy.

Broadband: Technology overview

An overview of different wired, wireless and upcoming broadband technologies and a description of their advantages, disadvantages and sustainability.

Broadband: Investment models

Investment models present interesting involvement opportunities for a public authority that engages in regional broadband development.

Broadband: Main financing tools

The main financing tools for high-speed broadband development projects are own resources, revenue-based financing, loans, equity and grants.

Broadband: State aid

State aid for broadband may be necessary in some places where the market does not provide the necessary infrastructure investment.

Broadband: Network and topology

A broadband network consists of geographical parts. The topology of a network describes how the different parts of a network are connected. The most relevant topologies for the backbone and area networks are tree topologies, ring topologies and meshed topologies. For the first...

Broadband: Technology comparison

A comparison of broadband technologies presents features of each solution and helps decisions on the best solution for different regions.