1. Action Plan for Rural Broadband Update
8 October 2019 Margaret Bateson-Missen Head of Unit DG AGRI-E.4

2. Action Plan for Rural Broadband
Launched on 20 November 2017 by Csser Hogan
Set of actions to be carried out by Commission services aiming to help EU Member States and regions to speed-up broadband rollout.
Contains both specific and continuous deliverables
Action Plan is implemented by a Steering Group of 4 Commission DGs (AGRI-CNECT-COMP-REGIO)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing. 

3. Main Action: Broadband Competence Offices (BCOs)
BCO Initiative started in 2016 and launched officially in Current number of BCOs: 123
28 National EU BCOs
1 from Norway
88 regional BCOs in several MS
6 from the West. Balkans
Aim of the BCO network in 2019: expand and consolidate the network, highlight communication and coordination role within each MS or region, empower members to take over activities.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing. 

4. Other Actions Continuous deliverables: Specific deliverables:
Broadband missions to MS or regions in need
Rural proofing mechanism for broadband investments under ERDF and EAFRD
Specific deliverables:
Common methodology for broadband planning, reporting monitoring BB investments
Update of the “Guide to high-speed broadband investments”
Publication of a “Handbook” for rural broadband projects
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing. 

5. “Rural Proofing” mechanism
Used for both ERDF and EAFRD funds
Simple mechanism aiming to:
ease the process of communicating and deciding on re-programming requests by Member States affecting EU funds for rural broadband projects.
Include the main questions that the Commission services will ask in the re-programming process.
Provide sufficient assurance that the requested re- programming would not further increase the digital gap between rural/remote areas and other areas.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing. 

6. “Rural Proofing” mechanism
In the form of a simple checklist shared with MS
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing. 

7. Handbook of rural broadband projects
Collection of best practices with a list of DOs and DONTs.
to assist rural policy makers (e.g. mayors), local authorities, project managers, local action groups, and other concerned parties that implement broadband investment projects.
will be made available (as a brochure in electronic and paper format) to Managing Authorities, the European Network for Rural Development and BCOs.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing. 

8. Example of rural broadband project: guifi.net (ES)
A bottom-up, citizen-driven technological, social and economic project creating a free, open and neutral telecommunications network based on a commons model.
Model for collaborative economic activity based on proximity, sustainability and voluntary work.
Citizens deployed their own network to interconnect different locations and network infrastructure becomes a public good.
More than 20 companies operate their services professionally on top of the commons network.
Connects more than people
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing. 

9. Digital gap is closing, but a lot needs to be done
Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband coverage in the EU (% of homes), 2011 – 2018
47% of rural areas still have no fast broadband
12% of rural areas have no fixed broadband connection at all

10. Future of the Action Plan
Help Member States and regions to empower and consolidate their BCO
Further monitor broadband investments
Continue the expert broadband missions to Member States
Work on remedial actions in case of problems
Encourage administrations to make use of technical assistance
Continue training and networking actions via the BCO Network
Keep up the close collaboration of the 4 Commission DGs involved

11. Thank you for your attention
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
Decentralised energy, as the name suggests, is produced close to where it will be used, rather than at a large plant elsewhere and sent through the national grid.  This local generation reduces transmission losses and lowers carbon emissions. Security of supply is increased nationally as customers don’t have to share a supply or rely on relatively few, large and remote power stations.  There can be economic benefits too. Long term decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy. While initial installation costs may be higher, a special decentralised energy tariff creates more stable pricing.