On 17 October 2013, the European Commission (EC) reported that every European Union (EU) household can now have a basic broadband connection, thanks to pan-EU availability of satellite broadband coverage.
Satellite connections are now available in all 28 countries, meaning any European is able to take out a satellite subscription, including the three million people not already covered by fixed and mobile broadband networks.
Currently, EU broadband coverage is provided as follows: 96.1 percent through fixed networks (ADSL, VDSL, cable, fibre, copper), 99.4 per cent over mobile networks (2G, 3G, 4G ) and 100 percent by satellite. The EC has therefore achieved one of the 2013 goals of the Digital Agenda for Europe - basic broadband for all.
To make Europeans aware that they have the option of using broadband satellite, the EC has launched a website - broadbandforallhttps://www.anacom.ptwww.broadbandforall.eu/. Seeing that there are 148 satellites providing services to Europeans, this service was developed by the European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) so that citizens are able to quickly check their satellite broadband options.
The next goal of the EC (to be achieved by 2020) in terms of broadband for all, is the implementation of Next Generation Networks (NGN), with minimum speeds of 30 Mbps, where the aim is for 50% of households to have 100 Mbps subscriptions or higher.
Further information:
- 100% basic broadband coverage achieved across Europe - EU target achieved ahead of schedule. Brussels, 17.10.2013 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-968_en.htm
