(21 November 2017) – In the margins of the ongoing ‘Broadband Days’, the Commission launched yesterday the Broadband Competence Offices and a toolkit for rural broadband.
This toolkit consists of a 5 point action plan with concrete deadlines to bring more broadband in rural areas of the EU because currently only 40% of rural households have next generation access compared to 76% of total EU households.
The Broadband Competencies Offices (BCOs) will help improving broadband connectivity in rural areas. They will provide guidance to public administrations, telecom operators, and all other public and private stakeholders interested in rolling out broadband infrastructure and services.
Yesterday evening Commissioners Hogan and Crețu also awarded the five best European broadband projects. This year’s winners come from Finland, Greece, Italy, UK and Sweden.