The European Commission has outlined further details of its plans to spend EUR 9.2 billion on digital and broadband infrastructure. Announced earlier this month alongside plans to regulate the next-generation broadband market, the Connecting Europe Facility would include at least EUR 7 billion in debt/equity financing and guarantees for building broadband networks in underserved areas. The remaining amount would take the form of grants to build digital infrastructure supporting the single market. In the case of broadband infrastructure, EU funding from the CEF would come in addition to other private and/or public investment, helping projects reduce their risk profiles and secure financing. The EC expects projects to come from established telecoms operators as well as new players such as utility companies, cooperative investment projects and local governments. The aim is to support investment in less obviously attractive broadband infrastructure projects, especially those outside urban or densely populated areas. The CEF would also provide financing for technical assistance or horizontal support such as mapping existing and future broadband networks. For the digital infrastructure grants, the EC envisages supporting projects such as transnational backbone networks and other delivery networks for public services, coordinated responses to cyberthreats and take-down efforts, and 'smart' energy and utility services. Projects would be evaluated by the EC on the basis of their ability to contribute towards a digital single market in the EU. The commission estimates that the CEF could stimulate total investment of EUR 50-10 billion once other private and public players contribute. This goes towards the estimated EUR 270 billion cost for meeting the EU's broadband goals in its Digital Agenda. For the CEF to go ahead, it still requires approval from the European Parliament and EU Council.
