Summary of broadband development in Denmark
Denmark's Digital Strategy aims at 100 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload speeds for all households and businesses by 2020. The strategy sets the course for Danish public sector digitisation efforts and their interaction with businesses and industry. A new Broadband Strategy is in preparation.
National broadband strategy and policy
Responsible authorities
- The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities (Klima, Energi- og Forsyningsministeriet) is responsible for Danish broadband policy development and administration. Its principal actions include the regulatory framework for the telecom sector and the setting of broadband goals, which are collectively agreed on by the Government.
- The Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen) is part of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and acts as the principal national regulatory authority for telecommunication in Denmark. The agency is the national broadband competence centre and its tasks include implementation of broadband policy, matters related to physical infrastructure, rights of way, radio equipment, net neutrality and spectrum management.
- The Danish Business Authority, an agency under the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, is the independent regulatory authority in charge of market analysis and decisions and carries out tasks on internet regulation and e-privacy.
- The Danish Agency for Digitisation is an agency of the Ministry of Finance established in 2011 to speed up the digitisation processes required to modernise the Danish welfare society. The Agency is in charge of the digitisation of Denmark and is responsible for the implementation of the government's digital ambitions in the public sector.
Main aims for broadband development
The central government, regions and municipalities have agreed a Digital Strategy 2016-2020 in order to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions in the public sector. The strategy aims at 100 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload speeds for all households and businesses by 2020. The Danish government is working on a new Broadband Strategy, expected in 2021.
The Danish Energy Agency has published a 5G Action Plan for Denmark focusing on four main topics as the chief cornerstones for a successful roll-out and utilisation of 5G: frequencies, roll-out, regulation and use cases.
Main measures for broadband development
- Broadband mapping: The Danish Energy Agency monitors broadband development via the mapping tool (Tjekditnet). It is an interactive mapping of offered and technically possible speeds, available technologies and providers of subscriptions at an address level for all Danish addresses including businesses, households, public buildings and holiday homes. The mapping covers both fixed access and mobile coverage. Aggregated data on coverage at municipal or regional level is also available. The site offers a tool to measure the speed and quality of the users current connection.
National and regional broadband financial instruments
Denmark’s primary focus is on the roll-out of high-speed network infrastructure based on private investments. A key role is reserved for municipalities in coordinating and promoting the process in cooperation with telecommunication operators. Public funding is reserved for areas with poor broadband coverage. Some of the current financial measures are:
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State aid was introduced in 2013 for the island of Bornholm, and later in a nationwide aid measure: the Broadband Fund (Bredbåndspuljen). The Broadband Fund aims at locals aggregating their demand to apply for financial assistance collectively. The Broadband Fund is administered by the Danish Energy Agency. The Danish government has used DKK 100 million yearly since 2018 to support households and firms with poor broadband coverage.
Data on broadband development and technologies in Denmark
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). National data is also available at the Energy Agency’s site.
Spectrum assignments for wireless broadband
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments consult the European 5G Observatory.
National publications and press documents
English
- Digital Strategy 2016-2020
- 5G Action Plan for Denmark
- Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU-28
- Europe's Digital Progress Report 2017
- Guide to High-Speed Broadband Investment
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
- Mobile and fixed broadband prices in Europe at the end of 2019
- Study on broadband coverage in Europe 2019
Danish
Interview with the national Broadband Competence Office
Contact information
BCO Denmark (national Broadband Competence Office): Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen)
Address: Carsten Niebuhrs Gade 43, 1577 København, Denmark
Contact via email
Phone: +45 33 92 75 41
Website
Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities (Klima, Energi- og Forsyningsministeriet)
Address: Stormgade 2-6, 1470 Copenhagen, Denmark
Contact via email
Phone: +45 33 92 28 00
Website
Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs (Erhvervsministeriet)
Address: Slotsholmsgade 10-12, 1216 Copenhagen, Denmark
Contact via email
Phone: +45 33 92 33 50
Website
Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen)
Address: Langelinie Allé 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Contact via email
Phone: +45 35 29 10 00
Website
Agency for Digitisation (Digitaliseringsstyrelsen)
Address: Landgreven 4, 1017 Copenhagen, Denmark
Contact via email
Phone: +45 3392 5200
Website
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
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