The National Broadband Plan of Cyprus (2021-2025)
September 2021
Strategies and Action Plans
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.