The role of alternative technologies in bridging the digital divide in the EU

30.1.2020

Question for written answer E-000558/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Ibán García Del Blanco (S&D)

The 2019 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) states that 30 Mbps broadband networks are inaccessible to 17 % of EU households overall and 47.2 % of households in rural areas. Given that the remaining households are the hardest to reach, the target of covering 100 % of households by 2020 will not be met, despite the ongoing national fibre broadband deployment plans.

Fibre is the core element of the Gigabit Society, yet its lengthy and costly deployment means it will take longer to close the digital divide in low population density areas: 80 million EU citizens are still unable to participate in digital society and the digital economy, i.e. e-government or e-health services.

Terrestrial and satellite wireless technologies provide quick and cost-efficient connectivity, giving all citizens access to 30+ Mbps services. This is a big step forward in areas with poor connectivity or no connectivity at all and is an effective proposition that could ensure much higher speeds in the near future.

Public interventions in networks providing significant step changes, even if capacity is not very high today, go hand in hand with fibre deployment as they increase take-up, a pre-requisite for an array of services and applications.

Given the need to bridge the digital divide, what role has the Commission attributed to wireless technologies in the guidelines provided to the Member States and what role will it play in future policies?