The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, €300 million of public support for Greece’s ultrafast broadband infrastructure scheme, which aims to provide broadband services to customers in areas with insufficient connectivity. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy said: “Access to high-performance internet connectivity is crucial for European citizens, for society and the economy.
With this decision, the Commission endorses the use of EU funds for the development of ultrafast internet in areas of Greece where private investment is insufficient. This is an important step for competitiveness and innovation in Greece as well as for social and territorial cohesion, enabling Greek households and businesses to benefit fully from the digital single market.”
The scheme is financed through the European Regional Development Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and private investments, and aims to deliver at least 100 Mbps, upgradable to 1 Gbps, to households, companies and public institutions. It targets areas where no fast broadband infrastructure offering at least 30 Mbps is currently in place, and where no private investor has shown any interest to invest commercially in the near future. The aid will be awarded by way of a transparent and non-discriminatory selection procedure, with all technologies able to compete.
The subsidised network will offer full access to all operators on a non-discriminatory basis, while the access prices will be under the control of the Greek telecoms regulator, the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT). Read more
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, €300 million of public support for Greece's ultrafast broadband infrastructure scheme, which aims to provide broadband services to customers in areas with insufficient connectivity.
- Theme:
- Competition Policy, Content: innovation, regulation and markets, Investment
- Region:
- Europe
- Chapter:
- Europe
- Series:
- Regulatory Watch
