Austria’s Broadband Strategy 2030
July 2019
Strategies and Action Plans
Austria’s Broadband Strategy 2030 (The Breitbandstrategie 2030) lays out Austria’s vision for achieving comprehensive high-speed internet access by 2030, marking the country’s transition into a ‘Gigabit Society.’ It emphasises the integration of both fibre (FTTP) and 5G technologies to ensure that all Austrians—whether individuals, businesses, or public institutions—have access to high-quality, reliable broadband services. This strategy will not only enhance internet connectivity but also foster innovation, create new opportunities, and ensure that all citizens can fully participate in the digital world.
Objectives and vision for 2030
The central goal of the strategy is to provide symmetrical gigabit connections across Austria by 2030. This includes not only densely populated urban areas but also sparsely populated rural regions. The vision includes:
- Nationwide availability of gigabit-speed internet.
- Equal digital participation, where citizens, companies, and public institutions can access the full benefits of digitisation, regardless of their location.
- A mix of fibre-optic networks and 5G mobile infrastructure to meet the future connectivity needs of homes, businesses, and public services.
Gigabit infrastructure and 5G integration
The strategy for network expansion focuses on the following components:
- Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP): This future-proof infrastructure will be deployed across Austria, providing gigabit-capable speeds. FTTP ensures that fibre optic cables extend close to the final users (buildings and homes), allowing for superior internet speeds.
- 5G rollout: Complementing fibre infrastructure, 5G mobile networks are crucial for providing fast mobile connectivity. The strategy includes plans to roll out 5G in both urban and rural areas, with special emphasis on critical infrastructure, transportation routes, and socio-economically significant areas like schools and public institutions.
Phased rollout timeline
The strategy outlines a step-by-step approach to broadband expansion:
- Phase 1 (2020): Achieve nationwide availability of broadband connections with at least 100 Mbit/s. This phase also marks the introduction of 5G in Austria’s major cities.
- Phase 2 (2023-2025): Expand 5G services along key transport routes and offer gigabit-capable fixed and mobile connections across the country. By 2025, all major public institutions and businesses should have gigabit connections.
- Vision for 2030: Full deployment of gigabit-speed connections throughout Austria, with universal access for all citizens, businesses, and institutions.
Financial requirements
The plan estimates the total investment needed to achieve these goals is between €10-12 billion, much of which will need to come from the private sector. However, public funding will also play a significant role, particularly in rural and less commercially viable areas. The European Commission forecasts the overall broadband investment across the EU to be around €500 billion, with Austria requiring about €10-12 billion for its nationwide rollout.
Public and private sector collaboration
- Coordination and cooperation: The strategy emphasises collaboration between private telecom operators and public entities, such as municipalities and regional governments, to avoid duplicative investments and maximise efficiency.
- Incentives for private investment: Austria will offer regulatory and tax incentives to encourage private companies to invest in the network expansion, especially in rural areas where returns on investment might be lower.
Regulatory measures
Austria’s government has recognised that an investor-friendly legal framework is crucial for achieving the broadband goals. To this end:
- Austria will adopt parts of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) to create a stable, predictable regulatory environment for telecom companies.
- Infrastructure sharing and collaboration among telecom providers will be promoted to reduce costs and speed up network deployment, especially in areas with low population density.
- Streamlining bureaucracy: The government aims to simplify and accelerate the approval processes for broadband-related construction projects, making it easier for providers to expand networks.
5G and future applications
The strategy sees 5G as more than just a mobile network technology. It will enable a wide range of new applications in fields like transportation, smart cities, health care, and industrial automation. Some key uses include:
- IoT (Internet of Things): More connected devices will create a need for higher bandwidth and lower latency. By 2022, Austria expects 4 billion connected devices across the country, up from 2.3 billion in 2017.
- Smart cities and automated systems: 5G will support real-time applications like autonomous vehicles, smart traffic management systems, and remote health care services.
Funding
A combination of public funding and European Union investments will help fund the more challenging aspects of the strategy, especially in rural areas. These include:
- Targeted funding for rural areas where private investment alone may not be sufficient.
- Collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support broadband expansion through risk-sharing instruments.
- Promotion of innovative financial models such as co-investments and concessions to increase participation by private companies and local governments.
Digital inclusion and skills development
Recognising the importance of digital literacy, the strategy also includes plans to boost digital skills among Austrian citizens:
- Programs like “fit4internet” aim to improve digital competencies for specific demographic groups such as seniors, low-IT-affinity professionals, and young people entering the workforce.
- ICT workforce training is emphasised to address the growing demand for specialists in broadband infrastructure planning, construction, and maintenance.
Ongoing monitoring
The strategy will be regularly reviewed and adjusted based on technological advances and market conditions:
- A central monitoring system will track progress in infrastructure rollout, service quality, and market dynamics.
- The Breitbandatlas, an online tool that provides real-time data on broadband coverage in Austria, will be updated with more granular data as the network expands.