EU auditors to examine broadband policy
The European Court of Auditors i is to examine whether the European Commission and the Member States are on-track to achieve the Europe 2020 broadband objectives.
The 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe envisaged bringing basic broadband to all Europeans by 2013 and ensuring fast broadband coverage for all Europeans by 2020, as well as having over 50% of households subscribe to ultra-fast broadband by 2020.
Although broadband coverage across the EU i has improved since 2011 according to the Commission, the situation is very different across Member States and between urban and rural areas, both for fixed broadband coverage and subscriptions.
Studies by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank estimate that up to €270 billion will be required to achieve the 2020 broadband targets. “EU broadband infrastructure financing accounts for over €11 billion in the current programme period, complementing private operators’ investments and public funding by Member States,” said Mrs Iliana Ivanova i, the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the audit. “We are set to examine, among other things, whether there is a risk that the financing may not be adequate to achieve the Europe 2020 Broadband objectives.”
Press release: EU auditors to examine broadband policy
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