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In total, it is about 1.6 billion SEK to be distributed in 2021.
According to the municipalities and other actors that DN has been in contact with, PTS refers to a set of rules within the EU.
According to Anna Larsson, PTS may not pay for broadband support to connect buildings that have or will have an internet connection that meets EU requirements, according to EU state aid rules. It is in that context that 30 megabits per second is specified as an acceptable speed.
This can be compared to Sweden’s national goal of reaching 1,000 megabits.
Why then should Sweden be content with Telia’s 30 megabit mobile system?
– It is not up to PTS to take a position on this issue. A definition of the next generation access network has been established in the EU acquis. So we must relate to that definition, says Anna Larsson.
But the EU acquis has been in existence for several years and is a minimum acceptable level within the Union.
– This is the regulatory framework that we have to comply with today. But it is under review and PTS is very positive about its update, hopefully the new regulations have come into effect for next year’s broadband support announcement, says Anna Larsson.
Industry experts say it wouldn’t be that difficult to get an exemption from the rules in Brussels. And that nobody cares that the connections are slower than they could be?
– There are formalized legal processes to obtain these exemptions. And there is nothing to do about it overnight.
Municipalities say they are concerned the whole thing could lead to a digital B team in rural areas if they are denied broadband support. What do you think?
– PTS understands that there is a concern in the country. We are also concerned that we can afford broadband support. What we are doing now is including supplementary information so that PTS can assess which expansion is up to the EU requirements. In a month, we will know how the survey has landed, says Anna Larsson.
Read more: The conflict over broadband can create a “digital b team”
