State aid: Commission processes record number of broadband projects following new Broadband Guidelines

A record number of Member State aid measures to support the installation of broadband networks have been approved by the European Commission in 2009 since the adoption by the Commission in September 2009 of Guidelines for the assessment of broadband projects under EU state aid rules (see IP/09/1332 and MEMO/09/396 ). With a view to supporting economic recovery and the long term competitiveness of Europe, the guidelines provide an overview on how Member States can support broadband networks without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market and helped to accelerate the decision making process. Since September 2009, the Commission has endorsed almost €300 million of public funding to support the deployment of broadband networks thereby giving people and businesses better access to high and very high-speed internet and bringing Europe closer to its goal to build a knowledge-based society.

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/31&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=nl