Albania’s National Plan for the Sustainable Development of Digital Infrastructure (2020-2025)
June 2020
The National Plan for the Sustainable Development of Digital Infrastructure (2020-2025) outlines Albania’s commitment to advancing its broadband capabilities to facilitate economic growth and digital transformation.
The plan prioritises the development of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, recognising broadband as essential for Albania’s economic and societal integration into the EU single market. Building on the 2013 National Broadband Plan, the updated strategy emphasises the extension of high-speed internet across urban and rural areas to bridge the digital divide.
Strategic vision and goals
- Vision: High-speed broadband infrastructure across Albania as a foundation for a gigabit society.
- Objectives:
- Ensure universal broadband access.
- Reduce the urban-rural digital divide.
- Promote digital economy development.
- Expand high-speed connections, particularly in underserved areas.
Challenges and priorities
The main obstacles identified include:
- Digital divide: Urban-rural disparities persist due to insufficient infrastructure in rural areas.
- Funding gaps: The lack of public funding mechanisms and state aid hinders the deployment of broadband in non-profitable regions.
- Regulatory barriers: Complex permit processes and inconsistent enforcement of access regulations slow network expansion.
- Infrastructure sharing: Insufficient collaboration among stakeholders to utilise existing infrastructure effectively.
- Spectrum management: Delays in allocating key frequency bands for new technologies like 5G.
Proposed measures
The plan recommends several interventions to overcome these challenges:
- Infrastructure development: Expand fibre-optic networks and next-generation mobile networks (e.g., 5G) with priority given to rural areas.
- Public-private partnerships: Introduce funding mechanisms such as Universal Service Funds and state aid schemes to incentivise private investment.
- Regulatory enhancements: Streamline permitting processes and enforce regulations to facilitate infrastructure deployment.
- Spectrum allocation: Expedite the release of key frequency bands and reduce spectrum fees to encourage investment.
- Demand stimulation: Promote e-services and digital skills to drive broadband adoption among businesses and citizens.
Implementation and monitoring
To achieve its targets by 2025, the plan emphasises:
- Coordinated efforts among government agencies, municipalities, and private sector players.
- Regular updates to infrastructure maps for better planning and resource allocation.
- Establishment of institutional frameworks, such as Competent Broadband Offices at the municipal level, to oversee broadband development projects.
Outcomes
By 2025, the plan envisions:
- 100% broadband coverage for households, businesses, and public institutions, with 50% of urban areas enjoying 1 Gbps speeds.
- Connectivity for all schools and hospitals at high-speed rates (1 Gbps).
- Comprehensive 5G coverage in major cities and strategic areas.
- Free Wi-Fi in public spaces across Albania.
This plan aims to position Albania as a digitally competitive nation, fostering economic opportunities and bridging connectivity gaps through strategic infrastructure investments and policy reforms.