Communication on Broadband in rural areas

The Commission published a communication on "Better access for rural areas to modern ICT" together with a working document. This follows the 2006 Communication on "bridging the broadband gap" which already identifiedthe main reasons for the rural-urban broadband divide (low population density, remoteness, lack of competition and socio-economic factors such as low income, lack of access to new technologies, low quality of service and low awareness) and considered adresssing the broadband gap through national broadband roll-outs.

The new Communication gives a range of background data that may be helpfull to lobbyists on rural broadband penetration, the impact of the broadband gap on farm businesses, SMEs and micro-businesses, young people, women, the elderly and disadvantaged groups. It also reviews the various projects (including research projects) and funding available to promote ICT in rural areas. There is however little on market regulation or competition.