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The European Commission considers that the 2.6 billion euro of public support provided under Ireland’s national broadband plan is in line with EU state aid rules.
The National Broadband Plan aims to address connectivity deficits throughout Ireland and to achieve 100% broadband coverage. The subsidised network will provide wholesale access to all operators on an open, transparent and non-discriminatory basis and will therefore encourage private investment in the provision of high-speed Internet services to households and businesses in the target areas.
The Commission assessed the measure under EU state aid rules, in particular the 2013 Broadband Guidelines, and concluded that the positive effects of the mechanism on competition in the Irish broadband market outweighed the negative effects that could be induced by public intervention. On this basis, the Commission authorised the measure under EU state aid rules.
The mechanism will contribute to the EU’s strategic objectives as set out in the Digital Agenda for Europe and in the Communication Towards a European Gigabit Society.
