To boost regional competitiveness and ensure access to quality internet in the regions, a broadband optical internet network is being built in rural areas with funding from the European Union (EU). Under the Phase 2 of the broadband optical network project "Improving Access to Electronic Communications Infrastructure in Rural Areas", 1956 km of optical network will be built by the end of 2023, with 282 connection points for operators, as well as connections to 18 educational institutions and 69 300 households.
With the development of information technology and the range of services and opportunities available, it is necessary to provide fast internet to all citizens throughout Latvia. However, not all areas are equally economically viable for operators to develop infrastructure, which is why the project provides for building a broadband optical network in areas where, due to low population density, electronic communications service providers would not be able to build their own infrastructure as such would be financially unviable.
The broadband project is implemented in two phases. Within the first phase of the project, which ended in 2015, there were 1813 km of fibre network and 177 fibre access points built. The second phase of the broadband project started in the second half of 2016 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
The project aims to provide better and faster internet for citizens and businesses. The project also provides fast internet access in rural areas and a diversified range of services, as an increasing number of service providers are involved in service provision. Public administration as well as the population benefit from fast internet as e-services become available for population and citizens get access to a wider range of services, including communication with institutions, access to quality education, the possibility to work remotely and other.
By the end of 2023, 1956 km of fibre network and 282 fibre access points will be built. Currently, Latgale has the highest number of access points built with 87 access points and 544 km of optical network, followed by Vidzeme with 82 access points and 534.6 km of network. Zemgale has 49 access points and 361.5 km of network route; Kurzeme has with 54 access points and 482.1 km of optical network route. The Riga planning region has 6 optical access points and 33.8 km of optical network.
With the aim to provide schools with the internet resources which are needed for modern and high-quality education, 18 optical network access points are planned to be installed by the end of 2023 in educational institutions located in rural areas where no electronic communications providers or any plans to provide broadband internet access services in the next three years (so-called "white areas").
The broadband project is being implemented by the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC). Funding of Phase 2 amounts to EUR 49 734 253. The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the amount of EUR 42 274 115.
For more information on EU funding support in the 2014-2020 programming period, please, visit the Ministry of Transport website: https://www.sam.gov.lv/lv/2014-2020gada-planosanas-periods-0
