Gigabit connectivity for Europe: bridging the digital divide by 2030

One of the defining characteristics of the current era is globalisation and its inherent connectivity. Every society, from the most technologically advanced to those still developing, benefits from being connected. What was once a capacity to connect has now evolved into an unquestionable right, as many social, political, and economic interactions, services, and opportunities are increasingly online. Ensuring universal access to high-speed internet has therefore become a key priority.

In this context, the European Commission, through the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1309), has set ambitious goals to deliver universal gigabit-speed connectivity across the European Union by 2030. This initiative aims to create a fully connected digital society, fostering innovation, economic growth, and social inclusion. However, achieving this vision presents numerous challenges, including the high costs of deployment and regulatory fragmentation across Member States. To overcome these barriers and close the digital divide, significant reforms, enhanced public-private partnerships, and continuous technological advancements are essential.

Current Barriers to Gigabit Infrastructure Deployment

Despite the advances made in digital infrastructure, Europe remains divided in terms of connectivity. There is a persistent gap between urban and rural regions, where the latest is still unattended, as highlighted in the Report on the State of the Digital Decade. Rural areas in particular face significant challenges in infrastructure development due to low population densities, making the return on investment for telecom operators less attractive. As a result, deployment in these regions remains slow and costly, further deepening the digital divide.

The high cost of deploying gigabit networks, particularly in remote areas, is one of the most significant obstacles. Fiber-optic networks and 5G infrastructures require substantial investment in civil works, including the digging of trenches for underground cables and the construction of new towers. The European Commission has estimated that the cost of full gigabit coverage could exceed €200 billion, making it difficult for private entities to invest without significant public sector support.

Another critical issue is the complexity of administrative processes. Operators face long delays in obtaining permits to install network infrastructure, especially in regions with restrictive local regulations. These administrative obstacles vary considerably from one Member State to another, making the deployment of seamless cross-border networks even more difficult. The Gigabit Infrastructure Act addresses this issue by calling for the simplification of these procedures and urging Member States to streamline their permitting procedures. The Act aims to cut delays and make gigabit networks more affordable and accessible.

Infrastructure sharing is another underutilised mechanism that could reduce deployment costs. Many telecommunications operators find it difficult to find a suitable framework for sharing their ducts, poles and other physical assets with their competitors. This increases the cost of network rollout as operators have to build redundant infrastructure. The new regulation seeks to strengthen the obligations for infrastructure reuse, making it easier for smaller operators to access existing networks and bring services to underserved areas.

Future Needs for Gigabit Connectivity

Looking into the future, Europe’s digital ambitions are stated in the Digital Decade strategy, which sets out clear targets for 2030. The strategy’s most pressing goal is to ensure that all EU citizens, regardless of their location, have access to secure and sustainable gigabit-speed internet. This is not only essential for digital inclusion but also critical for supporting the EU’s broader economic goals, such as fostering innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and smart cities.

Achieving universal gigabit connectivity will require significant advances in network technologies as well as increased investment in infrastructure. The role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) will be crucial in addressing these needs. By leveraging both private capital and public funding, these partnerships can boost the development of high-speed networks, particularly in areas where financial returns are too low to motivate private sector investment. For example, projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and InvestEU already facilitate the development of critical infrastructure, but further efforts are needed to ensure that no region is left behind.

Sustainability must also be a central focus of future infrastructure development. The European Green Deal has set ambitious targets for reducing the environmental footprint of all sectors, including telecommunications. Gigabit networks, while essential for economic growth, must be deployed with energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact in consideration. Technologies such as edge computing, which reduces the need for long-distance data transmission, and the use of renewable energy in network infrastructure, will play a key role in ensuring that gigabit networks contribute to the EU’s environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality goals.

In addition, the improvement of the facilitation of administrative procedures will remain a priority. While the Gigabit Infrastructure Act aims to simplify the permitting process, further efforts are needed at national and local level to coordinate regulatory frameworks across Member States. By removing procedural bottlenecks and promoting consistent regulation, the EU can ensure faster and more cost-effective deployment of gigabit networks.

Finally, the development of a skilled workforce is essential. The Digital Decade strategy aims to have 20 million ICT specialists by 2030 to support Europe’s digital transformation. However, Europe is currently far from reaching this target. The shortage of skilled professionals could delay the deployment and maintenance of gigabit networks, making it difficult for the EU to achieve its connectivity goals. Investment in education, vocational training and re-skilling programmes will be vital to reduce this skills gap.

Conclusion: A Connected Europe by 2030

The Gigabit Infrastructure Act represents a decisive step in the EU’s roadmap towards universal, excellent, secure, and reliable high-speed internet connectivity. By addressing the challenges of high costs, regulatory delays and infrastructure reuse, the Act lays the foundations for a more connected and inclusive Europe. However, the road to gigabit connectivity for all by 2030 is a challenging journey. Public-private partnerships, technological innovation, regulatory harmonisation and a skilled workforce will be essential to bridge the digital divide. If the EU is able to overcome these obstacles, it will not only lead the world in digital infrastructure, but also create a more resilient, innovative and sustainable digital economy.