INTERNET
EC aims to boost broadband availability
21-03-2006
by Ciara O'Brien
The European Commission is taking a step forward in trying to improve broadband access for citizens in the region.
The Commissioners for Information Society and Media, Competition, Regional Policy and Agriculture and Rural Development launched a set of proposals on Tuesday that are designed to boost broadband availability, particularly in rural communities.
Broadband access has been a contentious issue in Ireland, where the roll-out of the high-speed services has been widely criticised. According to the latest statistics, broadband penetration in Ireland is a mere 5.34 percent, joining Greece, Italy, Portugal and most of the new EU member states who all have less than 10 percent. This compares with 23.79 percent in the Netherlands, 22.51 percent in Denmark and 20.33 percent in Finland.
Access for rural communities is particularly problematic throughout Europe, with population scarcity and distance playing a part in putting broadband providers off offering the services.
"If we use our policy instruments wisely with regard to broadband, we can do some very practical things to make 'growth and jobs' a reality in the less-developed and rural regions of Europe, too," said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media.
It appears the answer to this problem is public/private partnerships; the Commission has already approved a EUR170 million package to help boost broadband in Ireland.
However, Neelie Kroes, EU Commissioner for Competition, warned that state subsidies are not a "miracle solution".
"Financial support must truly target market failures or support the delivery of broadband in rural and remote areas," Kroes said. "The Commission will ensure that state aid does not distort competition to an extent contrary to the common interest by crowding-out private initiative."
The new initiative has been welcomed in Irish circles, with Chambers Ireland calling on the Government to invest in a national fibre network.
"This announcement gives further weight to our proposal that the Government tender for the design, build and operation of a nationwide fibre optic cabling system to every business and home in the State to deliver a quantum leap in bandwidth capacity," said Sean Murphy, Chambers Ireland director of policy. "Such a vital piece of infrastructure would enable new technologies such as cheap and effective broadband television, teleconferencing and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) critical to the development of next generation industries and the securing of new international markets for Irish business."
Chamber Ireland is proposing that the State aggregate existing state-owned fibre and ducting networks, which are currently operated by bodies such as the National Roads Authority, the ESB and Bord Gais, to form the foundation for the new fibre optic network.
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