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The
European
Broadband
Competence
Offices
Network
2019
“The BCO Network
enables us to meet Broadband
Contents Competence Offices from all over
Europe and officials from the Commission on
a regular basis. The BCO Network has become
for Austria a very important initiative, especially
for sharing good practices, which helps us to
implement the right solutions back home.”
BCO Austria
Fjodor Gütermann “In 2019, the BCO Network provided an excellent
2 Forewords platform to discuss challenges such as the
transition from the 2014-2020 to 2021-2027
financial perspective and the deployment of pilot
3 Introducing the BCO Network 5G networks. These are only a couple of topics
which the Network has provided opportunities
9 The BCO Network in 2019 to work on and achieve common understanding
between its members.”
11 Connecting,
exchanging knowledge “2019 – the third year of the BCO Network
and building capacity BCO Poland initiative – has been a great year in terms of cross-
Dominik Kopera BCO engagement and exchange. The Network
23 Expanding the Network is growing stronger and more connected, with
Member States and regions helping one another
to overcome broadband deployment challenges.
25 Strengthening the Network BCOs are also increasingly working with the
European Commission to give input and shape the
future of EU broadband policy and funding.
We look forward to the next year of this empowering
initiative, when we will continue supporting BCOs
to build their capacity and find innovative solutions.
We expect to see these cross-border partnerships
BCO Network flourish in 2020 as the focus of the Network moves
Support Facility increasingly to broadband programming under the
Isane Aparicio next MFF.”
Introducing
the
BCO
Network
The European Broadband Competence Offices Network is a
What European Commission initiative supporting Member States
is the BCO
to reach the EU Digital Agenda objectives, with an emphasis
on the Digital Single Market and Gigabit Society.
Network? The Digital Single Market is one of the top priorities of the European Commission
for 2014-2020 because it has the potential to unleash growth, competition,
investment and innovation, while creating new sources of employment. In order to
bring the full social and economic benefits of the Digital Single Market to all citizens,
a digital transformation in both rural and urban areas is needed. To achieve this
The BCO Network brings together transformation, however, widespread deployment and uptake of very high capacity
national and regional public networks is a necessity throughout the European Union.
authorities in charge of broadband The BCO Network exists to support Member States and regions in achieving this.
deployment with the objective of It does this through the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices
increasing their knowledge and among its members and with the European Commission, and through an annual
programme of training and capacity building. The programme comprises training
capacity to reach the Gigabit Society events and thematic group meetings; the latest information on EU funding for
objectives, and bring the benefits of broadband; and a video interview series on broadband projects from across
the EU that demonstrate good practices.
connectivity and the Digital Single
Market to all citizens. The BCO Network is animated by a dedicated Support Facility set up
by the European Commission. The Support Facility designs the annual
programme in close collaboration with the Directorates-General
for Agriculture and Rural Development; Regional and Urban Policy;
What
Communications Networks, Content and Technology; and Competition.
are BCOs?
Broadband Competence Offices
(BCOs) are the national and regional
public authorities responsible for
broadband deployment. They advise
policy makers, project promoters
and citizens on broadband and the
technological, legal and financial
challenges of broadband projects.
An
expanding
Network Did you know?
for
cross-border
You can:
• Contact national and regional BCOs through
knowledge
the BCO Network Directory
• Learn about good practices in broadband
exchange
projects and BCO services, as well as
EU policy and funding, through the BCO
Network video interview series
• Find the latest news, videos and publications
all in one place on BCOnetwork.eu
• Study factsheets on broadband projects
that demonstrate good practices in the
Good Practices Database
• Receive news by email via the Broadband
Europe and Digital Single Market
newsletters
A national BCO • Get answers to the most frequently asked
in every Member State questions on the BCO Network in the FAQ
page
Over 80 regional
Member State BCOs
As of 2019,
national BCOs in Norway
and the Western Balkans
In 2019, the BCO Network achieved its
objectives of:
Connecting, sharing knowledge and Expanding the Network at regional
building capacity across the Network level and into neighbouring countries
The by:
• bringing BCOs, experts and European
by encouraging more regional BCOs to participate
in and gain from the Network, as well as to
BCO
Commission officials together to bring clarity share their experiences for the benefit of all the
to the legal, technological and financial members.
concerns of broadband planning and
Network
implementation, with a particular emphasis Strengthening the Network at EU,
on State aid and rural deployment
• exchanging experiences and good practices
national and regional level
by empowering BCOs through increasing
2019
• facilitating dialogue on the needs and
in challenges specific to different frameworks,
environments and economies.
awareness and understanding among their
stakeholders of how BCOs can support them in
broadband planning and deployment; and by
reinforcing connections with key partners such
as the European Network for Rural Development
(ENRD) and the European Agricultural Innovation
Partnership (EIP-AGRI).
The BCO Network 1 The first training session of the year focused
connects, Step
on the step change requirement under
State aid rules, with specific examples of
current State aid schemes in Europe. The
shares knowledge change
Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and
Home Affairs presented a Bavarian project,
the first approved proposal for State aid in
and builds capacity and
grey NGA areas.
BCO Lower Saxony, Germany, introduced
through an annual programme of training and
procurement a case study on the hurdles and factors
to consider when planning State aid
thematic events, bilateral meetings between BCO training investments, followed by a case study
on evaluation criteria by BCO Poland. DG
and European Commission representatives, as well session COMP presented lessons learnt and a study
as online training and multimedia resources. on good practices in broadband schemes.
The programme is tailored to the needs of the Network members,
and enables BCOs to exchange experiences and good practices
with peers and experts, as well as access in-person guidance from
European Commission representatives on complex issues and
specific project hurdles. In 2019, the BCO Network focused on:
1. Step change and procurement
2. Demand-side measures
3. Socio-economic drivers
4. 5G
5. Mapping
6. Investment models for rural areas
BCOs also worked in collaboration with the
European Commission and the BCO
Network Support Facility to hold CEF2
Digital-dedicated workshops in
Member States, and the BCO
Network Support Facility
undertook broadband
missions to assist BCOs
bilaterally on case-
specific issues.
The full report and
presentations are available to
members of the BCO Network
through the members-only
online forum.
2 3 departments work together to leverage the
impact of connectivity for socio-economic
Demand-side
drivers.
Socio-
The University of Ljubljana, Slovenia,
shared the example of FabLab Network During the first session, BCO Poland
measures Slovenia, a demand stimulation project
not based on vouchers.
economic
presented the idea and challenges of
the Polish Nationwide Education Network
training (OSE). The OSE Operator, NASK - Research
session
This was followed by a case study of a
recently approved Greek voucher scheme,
presented by BCO Greece. DG CNECT
drivers and Academic Computer Network, outlined
the practical aspects of connecting schools
to fast internet; and Project Center Digital
also gave the example of the European thematic Poland presented on how schools use
The second training session of 2019
explored measures to stimulate broadband
Commission’s WiFi4EU initiative.
group the internet, as well as complementary
activities and future plans.
demand. The training session concluded with a
presentation and discussion on the revision The second session focused on State
The ENRD introduced ‘Smart Villages’ as of the Guide to High-Speed Broadband This thematic group focused on the role aid implications for socio-economic
potential demand-side drivers, followed Investment, lead by DG CNECT and that socio-economic drivers can play in driver-related investments, lead by DG
by a presentation by DG CNECT on impact external experts from RISE Acreo and LE promoting broadband deployment; the COMP, and included a case study on the
and output indicators, as well as an Europe. types of support schemes that have been Romanian national school net, presented
overview of what can be expected in the successfully implemented to promote by the University Politehnica of Bucharest.
next programming period. connectivityfor socio-economic drivers; This was followed by a field trip to OSE
and the ways that different administration Network Management, lead by NASK.
The full reports and
presentations are
available to members of
the BCO Network through
the members-only online
forum.4 5
5G Mapping
training training
session session
This was the BCO Network’s first This training session began
training session on 5G since the with a technical workshop
initiative was launched in 2017. on geographical survey
methodologies, organised by the
The training session began with Body of European Regulators
a presentation by BCO Austria for Electronic Communications
on the Austrian 5G Strategy. BCO (BEREC).
Austria presented some of the
actions and challenges, discussed DG CNECT and DG COMP
concerns over wave emissions and presented the broadband mapping
explored the idea of 5G for rural requirements of the European
areas. Commission.
BCO Luxembourg presented on TÜV Rheinland updated the BCO
how to address security features Network on DG CNECT’s mapping
when planning for 5G. A discussion study, then presented the results
of 5G support available under of the BCO Network’s mapping
the Connecting Europe Facility working group.
followed, lead by DG CNECT.
Regional Swedish BCO Värmland,
Representatives from the presented on regional mapping
private sector introduced the in Sweden, followed by feedback
opportunities of 5G networks, and on mapping efforts in Ireland,
the Polish National Institute of presented by the Irish national
Telecommunications concluded BCO.
with what 5G can offer for people
with disabilities. DG COMP concluded with an
explanation of th requirements for
broadband mapping in rural areas.
The full reports and presentations
are available to members of
the BCO Network through the
members-only online forum.the concession model, the community In order to prepare stakeholders in individual
6 broadband model, and the operator subsidy
model (also referred to as gap funding).
Member States for the new 2021 Connecting
Europe Facility programme, CEF2 Digital, as CEF2
well as to offer them an opportunity to give
Investment
The different investment model working
group leaders presented their main
input into its development, the European
Commission invited national BCOs to host
digital
findings, with BCO Estonia presenting the dedicated workshops at which Commission
workshops
models direct investment and concession models;
BCO Catalonia presenting the community
representatives would speak. The series
began in the late summer of 2019 and, to-
and
for broadband model; and BCO Germany date, workshops have been held in Austria,
rural
presenting the operator subsidy model. Lithuania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary,
Denmark, Croatia, Belgium, Portugal and broadband
missions
This was followed by a panel discussion Latvia.
areas with project promoters, including the
Finnish Kinisjärvi-Vuola village association, The cross-border knowledge-exchange
thematic representing the Kuitua pohjoiseen project;
Guifi.net, a citizenship-driven technological,
and capacity-building nature of the BCO
Network has been particularly evidenced
group social and economic project; and the RuNe
project, an ultra-wide broadband fibre optic
by these Member State-driven workshops,
in which hosting BCOs have invited other
The broadband missions also serve to
support BCOs in fulfilling the full spectrum
cross-border infrastructure project in rural countries’ BCOs to participate as speakers of BCO activities and responsibilities as
areas of Slovenia and Croatia, implemented and present good practices and valuable outlined in the brochure, How to set up a
This thematic group focused on the with support from the Connecting Europe insights. This was the case during the BCO.
mapping methodology of broadband and Broadband Fund (CEBF). workshop organised by BCO Cyprus, where
infrastructures, as well as on strategy BCOs Poland and Greece were invited to The insights gained on the ways BCOs
choices for planning broadband projects in A Questions and Answers session with DG present. operate in different countries and the case-
rural areas. COMP closed the meeting. As in previous years, the BCO Support specific difficulties they encounter, are
Facility undertook a number of broadband greatly beneficial in shaping the focus of
An external expert from RISE Acreo presented The full report and presentations are missions in 2019 in order to meet bilaterally the Support Facility, which adapts its work
the four principal business investment available to members of the BCO Network with BCOs, especially at national level, and programme annually in response to the
models: the direct investment model, through the members-only online forum. increase dialogue and engagement. needs of the Network’s members.BCO Network members also have access to
online good practice-dedicated resources,
underpinning in-person events that are
fundamental to the generation and
exchange of good practices among the BCO
Network members.
Good
These include:
The annual European Broadband Awards
competition
practices An annually produced catalogue of good
practices in broadband projects centred on
in the winners of the European Broadband
Awards
broadband A series of video interviews with good
projects
practice projects from across the EU,
including the winners of the European
Broadband Awards (read more on the next
page)
European
A database of factsheets on good practice Broadband
projects Awards
A members-only online forum for discussing
and sharing good practicesVideo
interview
series
The BCO Network’s video interview series
combines:
• an exploration of good practices in
broadband project planning, financing, and
use of technology, among others
• a look at challenges and the different ways
that projects overcame them
• BCO showcases, exploring different set-
ups, services and mandates, and how
different BCOs, at both national and
regional level, fulfil them
• introductory overviews of EU broadband-
related policy, such as regional
development and territorial cohesion, and
funding avenues, such as the Connecting
Europe Facility and Connecting Europe
Broadband Fund
• thematic videos on connected topics such
as smart agriculture and Smart Villages
The series is comprised of interviews with
broadband project promoters across Europe,
ranging from BCOs and national and regional
authorities to rural cooperatives and private
companies, as well as European Commission
representatives and experts.Expanding
the BCO Network
at regional level throughout the EU and, since 2019,
into the neighbouring countries of Norway, Serbia,
Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, as
well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Regional-level engagement and exchange is necessary in order to
To support the Network’s
realise the Digital Single Market and enable all citizens to be part
cross-border expansion, and
of and benefit from it. Interaction between national and regional
at the request of many of
broadband authorities within countries provides critical insight for
its new members, the BCO
broadband planning and roll-out.
Network Support Facility
produced a brochure dedicated
In 2019, the BCO Network Support Facility continued to reach out to
to European broadband funding
regional broadband public authorities to encourage their participation
for the Western Balkans.
in the Network’s activities and to ensure their awareness of the
resources and support available to them through the BCO Network
The brochure outlines the funding
webpages and members’ forum.
and technical assistance instruments
made available by the European Union
Of particular use to new BCOs joining the Network are
for the design and implementation of
the brochures on How to set up a BCO, EU funding for
broadband programmes and projects in
broadband, and Technical assistance for broadband,
the Western Balkans. It gives an overview
published in 2018.
of the main sources of funding and
targets public administrations and private
Exchanges across both regions and borders can
promoters involved in the development
also provide valuable learnings from shared
of digital connectivity in the region.
challenges. For this reason, the participation of
Norway and the Western Balkan countries in the
Network this year was especially welcomed.Strengthening
the BCO Network 1
Regional and rural engagement; awareness raising
and outreach; and preparing for the next programming Ensuring
period and funding cycle: 2021-2027.
future
In 2019, the BCO Network underscored the role of regional BCOs
The EWRC workshop, Ensuring
future dynamic rural areas, dynamic
rural areas
presented ways of creating ‘smarter’
and rural development stakeholders in supporting the deployment rural and remote areas through the
of reliable high-speed broadband, especially with regard to rural introduction of key innovations. The
and remote areas. During the European Week of Regions and Cities combination of low digital skills and
(EWRC), the BCO Network Support Facility held a workshop to raise unreliable connectivity has a negative knowledge, expertise and technology for
awareness of this, especially in the context of the sustainability and impact on European communities, experimenting with digital innovation for
competitiveness of rural communities: Ensuring future dynamic rural especially in terms of the competitiveness agriculture, as well as the Horizon 2020
areas. of rural and remote businesses and citizens. project, SmartAgriHubs. A case from the
It results in a ‘digital gap’ between rural provate sector underlined the advantages of
In connection with this, an important step for successful broadband and urban areas, and contributes to rural digitalisation for agriculture, with precision
roll-out and uptake in rural and remote areas is the engagement with depopulation. The European Commission’s farming enabling greatly improved resource
local communities and regional broadband stakeholders, including strategy towards closing this gap aims to management, productivity, data-driven
Local Action Groups, municipalities and utilities, as well as private provide means to improve connectivity and solutions, decreased costs per hectare and
operators. An essential resource in this is the European Network for competitiveness in rural areas. ultimately higher farm profitability and
Rural Development (ENRD), which can connect BCOs with essential sustainability.
partners such as National Rural Networks, Local Action Groups and DG AGRI gave visibility to European
Digital Innovation Hubs. Commission actions undertaken to boost The ENRD presented the concept of ‘Smart
broadband implementation in rural areas, Villages’, wherein rural communities
The BCO Network is a means for its members to stay up-to-date such as the Action Plan for Rural Broadband, improve their resilience and increase their
with European Commission developments in the areas of policy and the Guide to High-Speed Investment as opportunities through innovative and
funding relating to broadband and also to provide valued insights well as a rural proofing mechanism for participative initiatives that frequently
and input. While the European Commission participates actively in broadband investments. involve a digital dimension. In relation
every event of the BCO Network, providing updates and guidance on to this, the need to close the digital
each topic addressed, the key event of the year, when it comes to The European Agricultural Innovation connectivity and skills gap and create
announcements on upcoming policy and funding developments, is Partnership (EIP-AGRI) highlighted the role rural digital ecosystems was highlighted.
the end-of-year BCO Network Annual Conference. of agricultural innovation in increasing Infrastructural improvements are required,
the sustainability and competitiveness of as well as the promotion of coordinated
agricultural rural areas. Of particular value governance in order to ensure that Member
are the Digital Innovation Hubs, which States’ digital strategies benefit rural
enable businesses to access the latest communities.emphasised the important responsibility of External experts from RISE Acreo and LE
2 BCOs in advising local authorities and project
promoters about financing possibilities
Europe presented the updated Guide to
High-Speed Broadband Investment; and a
Phil Hogan
European
under the new MFF. They invited BCOs to representative from the Scientific Committee Commissioner
liaise with the national services responsible for Digital Agenda presented the future
Annual
for Agriculture
for drawing up National Broadband Plans to Handbook for Project Promoters and Policy and Rural
ensure that they meet the digital targets for Makers - a DG AGRI and DG REGIO initiative Development
Conference
2015-2019
2025. supported by DG CNECT and DG COMP.
Ms Bateson-Missen outlined the funding The afternoon sessions centred on the
allocated for broadband under the new findings of the BCO Network working
programming period’s Common Agricultural groups on investment models for rural “I see in the future that there will be a need
This year’s Annual Conference covered
Policy (CAP). Mr Pino gave an overview of areas, followed by the Network members’ to continue the action of the Broadband
a range of topics, from upcoming policy Competence Offices, to make sure that Member
expected broadband funding under the priorities for the year ahead. In terms of
and funding developments connected to States include these provisions for rural areas
European Regional Development Fund BCOs’ expectations for further support from
the 2021-2027 Multi-annual Financial in their CAP strategic plans and that we ensure
(ERDF), intended to complement other EU the European Commission and BCO Network
Framework (MFF), to connectivity challenges that there is a significant budget to be able
funding programmes such as the EAFRD, Support Facility, the majority consensus
for agriculture and rural areas, as well as the to continue to roll out this important initiative
CEF2 Digital and Horizon Europe. Mr called for updating the Investment Guide,
Network and Commission’s expectations for by ensuring that at the end of 2025 we have
Accordino introduced the new Connecting with a greater focus on mapping, as well
the year ahead. high-speed broadband in all areas, including
Europe Facility Digital programme (CEF2 as on State aid in grey areas. These were rural areas and remote rural areas.
Digital) and explained its priorities. closely followed by a desire for guidance
In the opening session, representatives
on preparing CEF2 Digital applications and I am very confident that if the Broadband
from the European Commission, including
The second session addressed connectivity investment tools for connectivity in rural Competence Offices continue in the work that
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural
challenges for agriculture and rural areas, and remote areas. they are doing, they will be able to achieve this
Development, Phil Hogan, DG AGRI’s Margaret
with discussions on research and innovation, objective on behalf of all of us.”
Bateson-Missen, DG REGIO’s Marco Pino and
‘Smart Villages’, and the role of 5G.
DG CNECT’s Franco Accordino unanimously
The full report and presentations are available to members of the
BCO Network through the members-only online forum.Acknowledgements
This brochure was produced by the European Broadband Competence Offices
info@broadbandeurope.eu Network Support Facility. The information was sourced from the European
Commission’s Broadband Europe portal and from the participating projects.
0032 (0) 22820918 Disclaimer
The information and views stated in this brochure are those of the authors and
www.bconetwork.eu do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the
European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf
@connectivityEU may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information
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