View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you

EU countries to increase investment to boost broadband speed

There would be a 'grand coalition for digital jobs' in the following two years, EC says.

By CBR Staff Writer

The European Commission (EC) said that member countries and industries will invest more than €22bn (£19bn) by 2020 to ensure that half of all Europeans have broadband speed of 100 Mbps or higher.

EC also warned that about 22% of European citizens had not used the internet until now and about 51% reportedly had some or high-level internet skills, which could lead to lack of workers occupying the roles.

In 2012, 99.9% of EU citizens were reportedly able to access the broadband coverage, including wired and wireless, and 95.5% of them had access to fixed connections, while the number highly plunged to 83% in rural regions.

About 54% of citizens were able to access the fast broadband, with connections over 30Mbps, in 2012, which is almost double the rate in 2010, while only 2% of people subscribed to superfast broadband, which is anticipated to reach 50% by 2020.

However, EC warned around advertised speeds and the reality, while EU citizens claimed an average speed of 19.5Mbps, which was about 74% of the advertised average speed, which could lead to loss of users.

The EC has also confirmed plans to boost investments in next generation networks across Europe, in a bid to offer all states full access to telecoms services.

European commissioner for the digital agenda Neelie Kroes said that those measures still don’t go far enough.

Content from our partners
An evolving cybersecurity landscape calls for multi-layered defence strategies
Powering AI’s potential: turning promise into reality
Unlocking growth through hybrid cloud: 5 key takeaways

"The sector still faces too many borders and barriers with 28 different systems of regulation, companies get stuck in national markets, unable to find the economies of scale to invest large-scale or compete globally," Kroes said.

"Today’s agreement is a big step forward – but really, it’s just the first step towards a connected, competitive continent."

Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU