PURPOSE: to establish guidelines for the implementation of trans-European telecommunications networks.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) n° 283/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on guidelines for trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1336/97/EC
CONTENT: the internet is becoming the dominant platform for communication, services, education, and participation in social and political life, cultural content, and business. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the trans-European availability of widespread, high-speed, secure internet access and digital services in the public interest.
The Regulation lays down new guidelines for the timely deployment and interoperability of projects of common interest in the field of trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure.
Objectives and operational priorities: the projects of common interest shall contribute to achieving the general objectives specified in Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013.
The operational priorities are as follows:
· interoperability, connectivity, sustainable deployment, operation and upgrading of trans-European digital service infrastructures, as well as coordination at European level;
· efficient flow of private and public investments to stimulate the deployment and modernisation of broadband networks with a view to contributing to achieving the broadband targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe.
Projects of common interest: these shall, in particular: (i) aim at the creation and/or enhancement of interoperable and, whenever possible, internationally compatible core service platforms; (ii) provide efficient investment vehicles for broadband networks.
The list of projects of common interest in the Annex covers digital infrastructures such as: (i) electronic identification and authentication; (ii) electronic delivery of documents; (iii) automated translation; (iv) critical digital infrastructures support; (v) electronic invoicing.
The list also includes well-established digital service infrastructures particularly identified to be eligible for funding contributing to uninterrupted service. Well-established digital service infrastructures include Europeana (allowing access to digital resources on European heritage) and Safer internet for children, which will be priorities in terms of financing.
Methods of intervention: the Regulation provides that actions contributing to projects of common interest, which meet eligibility criteria, may benefit from Union funding Union financial assistance under the conditions and instruments available under Regulation establishing the CEF.
The total amount of the budget allocated to financial instruments for broadband networks shall not exceed the minimum necessary to establish cost-efficient interventions. That amount shall be 15 % of the financial envelope for the telecommunications sector as set out in the CEF Regulation.
Eligibility criteria and priorities for funding: to be eligible for funding, actions contributing to projects of common interest in the field of digital service infrastructures must particularly, have sufficient maturity to be deployed, create European added value, have a strategy and planning for long-term sustainability, and comply with international and/or European standards for interoperability.
Actions contributing to projects of common interest in the field of broadband networks must satisfy certain criteria such as: making a significant contribution to the realisation of the targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe, address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations and not lead to market distortions or crowding out of private investment.
At least one-third of the broadband projects receiving financial assistance under this Regulation shall aim at broadband speeds above 100 Mbps.
In its resolution of 12 September 2013, the European Parliament emphasised that a revised forward-looking Digital Agenda for Europe target for 2020 is to connect all Union households with broadband connections delivering 100 Mbps, with 50 % of households subscribing to 1 Gbps or more.
Exchange of information, monitoring and reporting: Member States and the Commission shall exchange information and best practices about the progress made in the implementation of the Regulation. The Commission shall publish a yearly overview of that information and submit it to the European Parliament and to the Council.
ENTRY INTO FORCE : 21.12.2013. The Regulation is applicable from 01.01.2014.