Following the success of previous years, projects from all over Europe applied for the European Broadband Awards 2019. The projects were evaluated by an independent jury of five broadband experts who selected the finalists and the five winners. The selected projects present innovative and collaborative approaches and solutions for broadband expansion in Europe:
Category 1: Innovative financing, business and investment models
RuNe Rural Network ProjectSlovenia and Croatia
RuNe is the first project to be financed by the Connecting Europe Broadband Fund (CEBF). It is a cross-border project in Slovenia and Croatia that connects 340,000 households exclusively in rural areas at a speed of 1 Gbit/s via an open fiber optic network. The project covers areas where the average population density is 3 to 36 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Category 2: Cost-cutting measures and co-investments
Broadband infrastructure expansion (stage II) – PRIP-2, Lithuania
The PRIP-2 project, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, made it possible to build around 342 kilometers of fiber optic lines in unserved areas in Lithuania and connect over 400 properties in the agricultural sector to the existing infrastructure. PRIP-2 encouraged operators to invest in “last mile” infrastructure and provide high quality services.
Category 3: Socio-economic impact in rural and remote areas
PEBA-Basque Country – Ultra-fast expansion of broadband services in rural and industrial areasSpain
The Basque government, in collaboration with the region’s three provincial councils, has launched a series of ultra-fast broadband expansion grants for private operators. The main objective of this project was to extend ultra-fast broadband services to rural areas where coverage was previously unavailable. These programs narrowed the gap between rural and urban areas, helping to stem the exodus of businesses and the rural exodus.
Category 4: Demand generation and use of connectivity
Sarantaporo.gr Wireless Community NetworkGreece
The Sarantaporo.gr core team, in collaboration with the local community, designed and implemented the Sarantaporo.gr wireless community network, which was extended to eleven villages in the region. This has created development opportunities for the local economy, improved the quality of life for local communities and curbed the migration of young people to urban centers.
Category 5: Quality and affordability of services
KCOM Lightstream fiber optic broadband, Great Britain
Communications and broadband provider KCOM launched a major private infrastructure investment program to deliver ultra-fast, full-fibre broadband (FTTP Fiber to the Premises) across its network in Hull and East Yorkshire. As a result of this project, Hull and East Yorkshire now have 100% FTTP coverage. Access to ultrafast connectivity has helped make Hull one of the UK’s fastest growing tech hubs.
The largest number of applications came from Germany and the UK. Most projects were carried out in category 3 “Socio-economic impact in rural and remote areas”.
The winners of the European Broadband Awards 2019 were honored at an awards ceremony in Brussels on the evening of 2 December. The event was hosted by Roberto Viola, Director General of the Commission’s Communication Networks, Content and Technology department.
The following day, the “Broadband Day: Boosting Connectivity Investments” conference took place. This provided an excellent opportunity for the award winners to share their experiences and approaches. All conference participants had the opportunity to talk to the representatives of the projects and actively participate in the discussions on regulatory issues and financing options for broadband expansion in Europe.
All of this year’s projects will be presented on the websites, in the newsletters and in the good practice database of the European Commission, DG CONNECT.
aconium GmbH implements this format and supports the European Commission and the applicants throughout the entire process.