Europe: EU hears proposal for €1 billion for high-speed Internet in rural areas

Posted by Rosemary D'Amour on December 11, 2008 at 11:14 AM

European Union leaders are considering a €200 billion economic rescue plan which includes €1 billion to bring high-speed Internet access to rural areas.

The proposal will be considered during a two-day meeting of EU government leaders beginning today, and support of the plan is "not assured," according to the International Herald Tribune. The proposal, if passed, would undoubtedly provide an opportunity for greater mobile media connectivity.

European Commission president José Manuel Barroso proposed the broadband spending in November, saying, "Linking more Europeans to the Internet would improve economic competitiveness."

The Internet proposal will pit "the Continent's telecommunications operators against satellite companies," IHT reports. Satellite companies are opposed to the plan, saying they are "uniquely suited" to provide and expand broadband service to "underserved" areas in Eastern Europe and the Alps. The companies say their high-speed network will be available there by 2010.

Satellite technology has been "little used" compared with cable television and DSL, despite its "potential reach."

Throughout the EU, 21.7% of residents had broadband Internet access in July, according to the European Commission, with only 6% of residents receiving broadband via mobile phones.

Source: International Herald Tribune via EJC