Hungary welcomes EU broadband initiative

The European Commission’s recently adopted initiative on building out and spreading fast and very fast broadband internet access has been welcomed by the Hungarian government. Debate on the related frequency legislation is likely to take place during Hungary’s EU presidency next year.

A communiqué issued by the Hungarian Ministry of National Development states that measures endorsed by the European Commission may contribute to every citizen of the European Union having access to broadband internet service. According to the EU’s Digital Agenda, a basic access should be secured to everyone until 2013 and fast or very fast access until 2020. The initiative also sets out the guidelines in every tool state administrations have in this issue: legislation, frequency management and fiscal matters.

In legislating access to new generation fiber-optic networks, the Commission has guidelines for the national control authorities for securing balance between encouraging investments and maintaining competition. The package of proposals also calls for a strategy, coordinated on EU level, in creating a policy on properly utilizing the radio spectrum for broadband internet access. The Ministry communiqué points out that the EU set of proposals is important for the member countries in implementing the national broadband infrastructure – in Hungary, the National Network – and its related programs.