Continuation of the broadband aid under way

The Ministry of Transport and Communications will start preparations for continuing government support for broadband construction. The new aid programme would begin in 2021.

Broadband construction has been granted government support since 2010. The application period for the previous High-Speed Broadband aid scheme ended in 2018 but the payments are estimated to continue until 2021. The aim now is to make arrangements so that it is possible to apply and grant aid again from the beginning of 2021. The continuation of the aid scheme is included in the Government Programme.

Aid will be granted for broadband construction in areas where no commercial broadband will be introduced before 2025. According to the General Government Fiscal Plan, for 2021 a total of 5 million euros will be reserved for the implementation of the national broadband project.

What next?

The continuation of the aid scheme is provided for by law. A legislative proposal will be drafted in the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Comments on the draft will be requested from stakeholders and relevant authorities. The Government proposal will be submitted as a finance and expenditure act in autumn 2020. Documents of the preparation phase will be available in the Gateway to Information on Government Projects. 

Inquiries

Katariina Vuorela, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 34 2029