Almost all schools and medical institutions soon to get broadband

ZAGREB, 5 December 2013 – At HAKOM’s public opening of tenders, the third public tender so far for the granting of state aid for the construction of broadband networks in the areas of special state concern, hilly and mountainous areas and islands, an only offer for the four counties was presented by VIPnet. HAKOM will adopt the decision on the granting of aid no later than by 13 December of this year.

 

State aid is part of HAKOM’s Programme for the development of the Internet and broadband in the areas of special state concern, hilly and mountainous areas and islands, which foresees aids for the entire chain of values which make up the broadband eco-system: a fast network, the development of services and applications, as well as the accompanying telecommunications equipment. In the first two rounds of the tender, aid was granted for the construction of broadband infrastructure in the amount of almost HRK 29 million for 15 counties. In this round, aid will be granted for the construction of broadband infrastructure in the additional four counties (Bjelovarsko-bilogorska, Dubrovačko-neretvanska, Krapinsko-zagorska and Sisačko-moslavačka County), with almost HRK 21 million available. The construction of infrastructure will provide broadband speed access to the target users, such as schools and health centres. Once the programme is implemented, all target users in the Republic of Croatia living in the areas of special state concern, hilly and mountainous areas and on islands will have the possibility to connect to broadband with the basic speed of 2 Mbit/s no later than within 6 months. Within the period of 5 years, the access speed must increase to a minimum of 30 Mbit/s.
 

 

HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) – Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal