Connecting Slovenia: EU funding for broadband networks in areas with zero market interest for such investment

Ljubljana, 15 March 2021 – Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a financial support decision for the “Call for proposals for co-financing the construction of next generation open broadband networks GOŠO 5”. The total amount of funds available under the call for proposals is just over EUR 21 million with European Regional Development Fund contribution standing at a little over EUR 17.3 million.

The call for proposals will provide co-financing for constructing open broadband networks in white areas in the Gorenjska, Goriška, Obalno-kraška, Osrednjeslovenska, Primorsko-Notranjska, Savinjska, Zasavska and Posavska statistical regions and in the Jugovzhodna Slovenija statistical region. Over the next three years public funding will support the establishment of the relevant infrastructure in areas where not all households have access to next-generation broadband networks and where there is zero market interest for such investment. Electronic communication services with a transmission speed of at least 100 Mb/s will be made available to households.

With the call for proposals, we wish to contribute to reducing differences and equalising starting points in all parts of the country. Thus, we are taking new steps in realising our goal with not a single area in Slovenia being left behind.

The call for proposals, which is open to all registered electronic communications operators, will be announced by the Ministry of Public Administration on Friday, 19 March 2021.

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