Gigabit Infrastructure Act

Background

The European Commission's proposal on Gigabit Infrastructure Act aims to increase network investments and rollout by addressing the existing barriers to network deployment. The planned measures should ease coordination between the use of physical infrastructure, such as ducts, towers or masts, and works on other public infrastructure. To the end of developing gigabit networks, the regulation will make it a requirement to provide information on existing physical infrastructure and planned civil works. By simplifying and digitising permit granting procedures, the regulation also makes it easier to request and obtain permits.

The proposal for a regulation is part of the regulatory framework for electronic communications and it is based on article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It repeals the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive approved in 2014, and it is in line with the Recommendation on a Connectivity Toolbox, adopted in September 2020. The latter aimed to reduce the cost of deploying VHCN and ensure timely access to the 5G radio spectrum.

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the Commission's proposal for a regulation and underlines the importance of fast, effective and simplified procedures, together with appropriate terms, conditions and prices, which can be applied everywhere in a consistent manner, throughout the EU;
• appreciates the decision to use a regulation as the legal instrument, rather than a directive, as this ensures uniformity and limits fragmentation of national laws;
• welcomes the Commission's objective to adapt the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD) to recent and current technological, market and regulatory developments, ensuring alignment with the European Electronic Communications Code and contributing to greening the information and communications technology sector as part of the European Green Deal;
• recognises that the sharing of existing infrastructure is crucial to achieving the goals of the EU Digital Decade 2030, and also emphasises the importance of ensuring the security and robustness of networks and their protection;
• considers that the single information points (SIPs) on minimal information on physical infrastructure, which owners of public infrastructure have to provide, should be integrated and linked to other databases which are already available at national level, so as to avoid duplication and save costs;
• believes that the deployment of very high-capacity networks (VHCN) and gigabit connectivity is crucial for development and socio-economic cohesion, as it is an essential factor for the equal economic development of SMEs and professional services, of digital workplaces and of the provision of electronic services in remote areas.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/806

Opinion type: Mandatory

Referral: COM(2023) 94 final 2023/0046 COD COM(2023) 94 final 2023/0046 COD

Rapporteur: Maurizio Mensi (Civil Society Organisations - Group III / Italy)

Date of adoption by section: 26 June 2023

Result of the vote: 70 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention

Date of adoption in plenary: 12-13 July 2023

Result of the vote: 173 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention

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