To facilitate the roll out and take up of fast and ultra-fast broadband in the EU, the European Commission creates a 3-prong package
- a Commission Recommendation on regulated access to Next Generation Access (NGA) networks that provides regulatory certainty to telecom operators (trying to encourage investment yet safeguard competition)
- a proposal for a Decision to establish a Radio Spectrum Policy Programme to ensure sufficient spectrum is made available by 2013 for wireless broadband
- and a Broadband Communication that calls on EU Member States to introduce operational broadband plans for high and ultra high speed networks with concrete implementing measures. The EU provides guidance on how to cut investment costs and indicates how public authorities may support broadband investment, including making better use EU funds. It also announces plans by the EU and the European Investment Bank to bring forward broadband finance instruments.
Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda sys, "Fast broadband is digital oxygen, essential for Europe's prosperity and well-being. These measures will help to ensure that Europeans get the first-class internet they expect and deserve, so that they can access the content and services they want
The EU's Digital Agenda for Europe commits to give every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020 (with at least half of European households subscribing to broadband access (100 Megabits per second).
As outlined in the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth , the EU believes installing broadband infrastructure in Europe as essential to create jobs and prosperity.
Europe as a region has the highest average levels of broadband take-up worldwide (24.8%) but its networks need upgrading. Today only 1% of Europeans have a high-speed fibre internet connection direct to their homes, (compared to 12% in Japan and 15% in So. Korea.)