The European Commission announced plans to invest almost EUR 9.2 billion from 2014 to 2020 on broadband networking projects and digital services.
The public funding, which would include equity, debt instruments and grants, aims to spur additional private investments in existing networks. The Digital Agenda for Europe set targets for 2020 of broadband access for all at speeds of at least 30 Mbps, with at least 50% of households subscribing to speeds above 100Mbps. The European Commission estimates that the overall investment needed to meet this target at EUR 270 billion.
In terms of new broadband infrastructure, the EC expects project proposals from established telecoms operators as well as new players such as water, sewage, electricity utilities, cooperative investment projects or construction firms. Public-private partnerships might also get funding.
In digital services, the EC is likely to fund projects involving eGovernment, e-Health, electronic IDs, cybersecurity and SmartGrid energy management.
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