Urban Broadband Internet Policies in Europe: A Critical Review

In this paper, urban broadband policies are critically reviewed. Cities and regions in Europe play an increasingly active role in the provision of broadband electronic infrastructure. Some cities are concerned that weaker groups will have little chances to get broadband access, and should be helped. Others take a more offensive stance, and promote broadband access to strengthen the local image, attract innovative companies and/or highly-skilled people. Peripheral cities take action to tackle spatial discrimination by telecom companies. There is now a scientific and political debate as to whether, and to what extent, governments should intervene in broadband markets. Several studies have pointed at the many pitfalls and negative side effects of broadband policies; others are more moderate, or even argue that governments should intervene to prevent a broadband divide. Much of this literature addresses national policies. In this article, we focus on the local level, as local policymakers seem to become more active. In this paper, we present a typology of local/regional broadband policies, based on a number of examples from European cities. We discuss the pro's and cons of various types of intervention, confront the case studies with the arguments listed in the literature, and critically evaluate the policies. Among other things, we conclude that policies are too easiliy justified with "loose" arguments of economic and social benefits, and that too often, policymakers fail to take a technology and supplier neutral approach, which may have perverse impacts in the long run.

E-governance in cities

This paper describes and analyses the way European urban policymakers guide their city into the information age. We develop an analytical framework to be able to analyse, assess and compare urban ICT policies. In the empirical part, the frame is applied to a number of cities. We conclude that the most successful cities apply a balanced mix of content, infrastructure and access policies. Furthermore, success depends on the capacity of urban management to engage in local networks with local companies, citizens and intermediary organisations, as well as their ability to mobilise external resources.

Meeting Europe’s Connectivity Challenge. The Role for Community Networks. CEPS Special Report, 4 July 2018

More than 3.5 billion people use the internet today, up from a mere 738 million in 2000, according to a new report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). That’s about half the world’s population. But what about the other half? While the ITU says that most of the world’s other internet-less users will be connected by traditional internet service providers (ISPs), many remote and rural regions risk remaining without access – unless they connect themselves. This digital divide exists even in developed Europe, where governments are pouring billions of euros into high-speed internet networks. Community networks can help fill the gap. Built and operated by people from within the community working together and combining their efforts, these networks complement traditional access networks. They provide local access in areas where commercial operators do not find it economically viable to operate. Given the challenges with economic viability in underserved areas, it is crucial to build a sound business model to ensure the sustainability of these projects. Community Networks must overcome serious regulatory, political and commercial hurdles. Regulation is often inadequate – or inappropriate. Needed spectrum remains expensive or unavailable. In response, the European Commission has given its support for these bottom-up projects, recognising Community Networks as one of the four main investment models for bringing internet coverage throughout the continent This paper looks at the challenges and opportunities involved in setting up, maintaining and expanding operations of Community Networks within the European Union and elsewhere in Europe. Based on personal interviews with officials in Brussels as well as telephone conversations with leaders of Community Networks throughout Europe, it draws lessons learned from a selection of projects ranging from Spain in the West to the Republic of Georgia in the East

New challenges in municipal broadband network management : from vertical integration to wholesale-retail model

Over the past years, municipal networks deploying Fiber-to-the-Home (FttH) technologies have increasingly been implemented in Europe. In order to achieve compatibility with the European Union (EU) legal and regulatory framework, a variety of public and private partnership (PPP) models have been developed throughout Europe aimed contributing expertise, finance, etc. to their growth. Recently, the debate has focused on the different industry structure that can foster the growth of municipal networks by moving from sole-supplier environment to a wholesale-retail split model. In undertaking a techno-economic analysis, the paper examines the viability of a wholesale-retail split model. It uses data from the implementation of an FttH network for a small town in the Netherlands. The paper demonstrates that the advantages in moving towards a wholesale retail split model and characterizes the neccessity to define open access conditions for these networks

FTTH in mature broadband markets: quo vadis?

Next-generation networks are being deployed across the globe. However, existing broadband infrastructure may hinder future investments in these networks in mature broadband markets. While broadband providers are faced by demand uncertainty, policymakers have to deal with uncertainty at both the supply and demand side of fiber broadband markets. Discussing the results of a large-scale user survey, this paper proposes different scenarios for dealing with the demand and investment uncertainty in Western Europe

Privatising Network Industries

privatization, regulation, competition, telecoms, electricity, gas, water, rail