WHAT WE DO / COUNTRIES / Cross-Regional /DETAIL

EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA: Support to foster infrastructure sharing in the Western Balkans

Broadband infrastructure is costly to provide, especially in rural areas. However, energy companies use fiber-optic infrastructure for their networks and typically have considerable capacity to spare. In the Western Balkans, sharing this fiber-optic infrastructure with telecom companies could provide a cost-effective solution. PPIAF funding supported a series of studies, consulting, and informational workshops in countries throughout the region to scope out demand for using excess capacity on existing fiber-optic ground wire networks installed alongside power grids operated by transmission system operators in the six Western Balkans countries. The studies detailed existing capacity, determined legislative changes that would be necessary to enable infrastructure sharing, and laid out a plan for establishing a regional infrastructure sharing initiative. All six countries in the Western Balkans committed to participating as part of the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans. This will lead to the optimal use of infrastructure assets, promote the expansion of high-speed broadband access, and improve broadband service quality at a fraction of the cost.

Approved date2016-06-13
SectorEnergy, Telecommunications
StatusOngoing
RegionCross-Regional
InstrumentPPIAF