Enhancing ‘Next Generation Access’ Growth in Europe

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CONTEXT : ICT play an increasing and crucial role in the European socio-economic environment. The adoption and use of ICT are among the most significant factors determining productivity growth, accounting of 40% of Europe's productivity growth and 25% of EU GDP growth”. ICT could be a key factor to help developing rural areas in Europe but there is still a real rural-urban gap in broadband coverage. NIVERLAN Joint Authority (JA) decided to address the related issues through the exchange of good practices and their preparation for subsequent implementation in several regions in Europe. PARTNERSHIP: It is made up of 12 partners from 10 countries (FR, ES, IE, PT, RO, SI, UK, DE, FI, PL), among them 3 are new MS (PL, RO and SI). Breakdown per area: West (3 countries); South (2 countries); East (3 countries) and North (2 countries). Mix of national/regional/local authorities (6 partners), agencies with delegation of ICT competencies from their public authorities and universities (6). OVERALL OBJECTIVES : To help rural regions across Europe to better understand and address the issue of “How to build a high speed broadband (HSB) network at efficient cost in rural areas” in order to make sure that the requisite are fulfilled for the maintenance or even strengthening of local populations and economic activities. ENGAGE will help the participating regions to fasten the setting up and the implementation of HSB policies, considering the significance & strategic importance of the next generation access networks. APPROACH in 3 steps: 1/ Initial identification of good practices; 2/ Better knowledge of good practices in other territories, based on 6 interregional thematic workshops, study visits and staff exchange; 3/ Commitment to implement achievements of strong interest after the end of the project. MAIN ACTIVITIES&OUTPUTS: ► 32 interregional events; ► 36 good practices selected ; ► Creation of a European high speed broadband experts team.►10 implementation plans designed (1 per country and among which 5 are from Convergence Objective regions) according to common guidelines and with the support of the European experts team; ► 1 policy recommendation paper MAIN EXPECTED RESULTS : ► 30 staff members with increased capacity via staff exchange/ ► 780 participants expected in joints events (seminars, workshops, study visits, info days...) / ► At least 20 external regions involved in joint dissemination events; ► 10 policies/instruments improved in the field of ICT. INNOVATIVE CHARACTER: Results achieved in particular in projects such as B3Regions, DE-LAN and PIKE will be taken on board in a capitalisation perspective. ERNACT, Lead partner of PIKE, will play a crucial role as co-responsible for Component 3 on methodological aspects for the implementation plans design and for the coordination of the European experts team at the service of the partner regions in ENGAGE project, and also after the end of its implementation for the outside.

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