North Macedonia Digital Economy (NODE)

dropped

Failure

Through the proposed Project, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia aims to considerably improve the state of thenational Digital (broadband) Infrastructure by investing in the backhaul networks to benefit selected Project areas. Broadbandconnectivity is recognized as an essential resource for the future competitiveness of North Macedonia and its socioeconomicdevelopment, especially from the standpoint of inclusion. Broadband and broadband-enabled technologies nurture innovations, triggerbusiness processes improvements, and improve linkages to the global economy.The Project will be structured along three maincomponents:Component 1 will include construction of the National Transport Optical Network (further: NODE Network) and creationof enabling conditions for its proper functioning. The NODE Network will connect the following:• White zones and justified Greyzones;• Locations for free Wi-Fi Internet access points; and• Public institutions: educational institutions (schools,universities, libraries, research centers, etc.), health institutions, ministries, courts, municipalities and otherstate administration authorities and bodies. Beneficiary public institutions shall be connected to symmetrical access to theultrafast broadband internet with speeds of at least 1Gbps.It is envisaged that the Public Enterprise Macedonian Broadcasting (JPMRD) would be in charge of the construction, maintenance and management of the NODE Network, as well as the infrastructure in thewhite and justified grey zones.Other envisaged activities include the review of the regulatory framework to ensure open andnon-discriminatory access of internet service providers to the deployed NODE Network and awareness raising and information sharingactivities in Project areas. Component 2 will contain activities aimed at institutional transformation and strengthening of JPMRD as an owner and operator of the NODE Network.Component 3 will include Project Implementation Support. The construction anddevelopment of the NODE Network will be based on the Feasibility Study (FS) and other project documentation to be prepared andfinanced by the WBIF Technical Assistance Grant.

FY17 - Information and Communications Technologies

World Bank Group

Project

Broadband, Telecommunications, Government, Education