The National Broadband Plan of Cyprus (2021-2025)

The National Broadband Plan of Cyprus (2021-2025) is a strategic framework aimed at improving the country’s digital connectivity and ensuring its competitiveness in the digital economy.

Vision and Goals: The strategy aims to position Cyprus as a digital hub in the Eastern Mediterranean by making a leap in digital connectivity by 2025. This will support the digital transformation of both society and the economy, while enhancing its role as a regional data gateway for the EU.

Key Objectives:

• Promote private investments: Encouraging private sector investments by removing administrative barriers and fostering cooperation among stakeholders.
• Ensure wide availability of high-speed broadband services: Extend the availability of very high-capacity networks (VHCN) across the country, particularly in underserved areas, ensuring that the majority of citizens can access internet speeds of at least 100 Mbps, which can be upgraded to 1 Gbps.

Actions to support investment: The plan outlines several measures to facilitate investments, such as:

• Streamlining licensing processes.
• Updating regulations for network infrastructure deployment.
• Enhancing the availability of information to improve transparency on technical projects.
• Supporting the development of 5G networks and ensuring their timely availability.

5G and fiber optic networks: A central focus is the expansion of both fixed and mobile VHCNs, particularly through the deployment of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and 5G networks. The plan recognises the socio-economic benefits of high-speed connectivity, such as increased productivity, innovation, and job creation.

Cross-border infrastructure: The strategy also emphasises Cyprus’ geographic role as a connection point for undersea cable systems and satellite facilities, which will help integrate the country into regional and global data networks.

Challenges: Despite progress, Cyprus still faces several challenges, including:

• High broadband service costs.
• Gaps in digital skills among citizens.
• Limited competition outside urban areas.

Public and private sector cooperation: The plan is designed to be a collaborative effort between public authorities, private providers, and local communities, ensuring alignment with the broader European Gigabit Society goals and maximising the benefits of EU funding mechanisms.