Summary of broadband development in Cyprus
The Government of Cyprus encourages the market to invest in Fibre to the Home (FTTH) and 5G infrastructure by providing the incentives related to regulatory certainty and measures. These steps promote cooperation between the providers of electronic communications services, close monitoring of the progress and stimulation of demand through increased e-government, eHealth and e-education services. Public investments can only be used in areas where the market fails to develop and should be carefully targeted, so that they are not a deterrent to private investments. The Broadband Plan of Cyprus 2021-2025 was announced in November 2021.
National broadband strategy and policy
Responsible authorities
- The Department of Electronic Communications (DEC, Τμήμα Ηλεκτρονικών Επικοινωνιών) is part of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (Υφυπουργείο Έρευνας, Καινοτομίας και Ψηφιακής Πολιτικής). DEC formulated and implements the comprehensive national strategy on information society, the Digital Strategy for Cyprus. DEC also regulates the spectrum management, oversees the Broadband Plan and acts as the national Broadband Competence Office (BCO).
- The Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation (ΓΕΡΗΕΤ/OCECPR) is the Regulatory Authority for the Electronic Communications and Postal Services.
Main aims for broadband development
The Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy announced the Broadband Plan of Cyprus 2021-2025 in November 2021. It is a roadmap that aims to strengthen and develop new infrastructure, technologies and connectivity services. The plan includes a set of interventions at legislative and regulatory level, but also actions of practical support for the development of broadband infrastructure, and sets the following connectivity targets, to be achieved by 2025:
- Gigabit connectivity for all main socio-economic drivers,
- All premises in organized communities (urban or rural) to have access to internet connectivity offering a download speed of at least 100 Mbps, upgradable to 1 Gbps,
- 100% of the population living in organized communities (urban or rural), and all major terrestrial transport paths to have uninterrupted 5G coverage with a download speed of at least 100 Mbps,
- 70% of households to have an internet connection (take-up) with a download speed of at least 100 Mbps.
The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRID) is also responsible for implementing the Digital Strategy for Cyprus 2020-2025 that is to accelerate its digital transformation. The strategy, adopted in June 2020, is set to contribute to economic growth and productivity and it aims to (i) achieve the digital transformation of the public sector (e-government); (ii) promote the digital transformation of the private sector; (iii) facilitate high-speed network connectivity; (iv) promote an accessible and inclusive society that has the skills to embrace the national digital transformation; and (v) promote innovation in line with the country’s level of digital maturity.
Main measures for broadband development
Component 4.1 of the Cyprus’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (EUR 53 million) includes reforms and investments that aim to foster and facilitate the widespread deployment of VHCN, including 5G and fibre. The reforms are expected to identify and remove the administrative bottlenecks, facilitating the rapid deployment of VHCN and investments by private operators. Investments support the build-up of VHCN in areas where there has been no private interest thereby addressing territorial disparities of broadband availability. The plan also includes a voucher scheme for individuals, to encourage the construction of their building internal cabling, for connection to VHCN. Furthermore, the installation of a high-capacity internet submarine link between Cyprus and Greece should further improve connectivity.
In the roadmap for implementing the Connectivity Toolbox, Cyprus plans to review the existing national framework in order to implement fast track procedures for granting permits and higher transparency of information.
Data on broadband development and technologies in Cyprus
For the latest data on broadband coverage, subscriptions and penetrations, coverage of different broadband technologies and costs check the scoreboard reports and the country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless broadband
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments consult the European 5G Observatory.
National publications and press documents
English
- Broadband Plan of Cyprus 2021-2025
- Digital Strategy 2020-2025
- Study on National Broadband Plans
- Guide to High-Speed Broadband Investment
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
- Mobile and fixed broadband prices in Europe
- Study on broadband coverage
- Cyprus - country reports on performances in digitisation: connectivity, digital skills, digital public services and more
Greek
Contact information
BCO Cyprus (national Broadband Competence Office): Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy; Department of Electronic Communications (Υφυπουργείο Έρευνας, Καινοτομίας και Ψηφιακής Πολιτικής; Τμήμα Ηλεκτρονικών Επικοινωνιών)
Address: Department of Electronic Communications, E902, Strovolos, Cyprus
Contact via email
Phone: +357 22814875
Website
Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation (ΓΕΡΗΕΤ/OCECPR)
Address: Ilioupoleos 12, Nicosia 1101, Cyprus
Contact via email
Phone: +357 22693000
Website
Latest News
Related Content
Big Picture
Find current information on broadband development in each country, as well as national strategies and policies for developing broadband.
See Also
Sweden’s national broadband plan, adopted in 2016, has the vision of an entirely connected Sweden and has goals for both mobile coverage and for high-speed broadband connections for households and businesses.
Digital connectivity and 5G rollout are among the ten strategic priorities of the Spain Digital 2025 Agenda.
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 a digital infrastructure in Portugal.
Poland’s national broadband plan 2025 is in line with the EU’s Gigabit Society targets.
All households in the Netherlands should have the opportunity to access broadband networks of at least 100 Mbps and a vast majority should be taking advantage of 1 Gbps by 2023.
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 as well as 5G coverage for all large urban areas.
The Italian Strategy for Ultra Broadband Towards the Gigabit Society 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 2021-2030 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 national broadband programme France Très Haut Débit sets a target of fast broadband access for all households by 2022 and fibre for all by 2025.
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.
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.
Belgium’s broadband strategy is incorporated into a broader policy strategy Digital Belgium. The aim of the national plan for fixed and mobile broadband is to eliminate the remaining white areas where high speed services are unavailable. By lowering costs and reducing...
Austria’s broadband strategy focuses on the nationwide supply of Gigabit connections (fixed and mobile) by 2030.