The State Secretariat for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures (SETELECO) develops actions co-financed by the ERDF within the framework of the POPE 2014-2020 for an approximate amount of 491 million in euros. These actions are framed in Thematic Objective 2 “Improving the use and quality of information and communication technologies and access to them” and, specifically, in the investment priority of greater deployment of broadband and high-speed networks, and support for the adoption of emerging technologies and networks for the digital economy.
Broadband and high-speed networks
Broadband Extension Program
Support program for telecommunication operators to carry out projects for the deployment of access networks, including backhaul networks, aimed at the extension of new generation broadband coverage, high speed (>30Mbps) and very high speed (>100Mbps), with technological neutrality.
The actions co-financed within the Broadband Extension Program (PEBA-NGA) are executed within the State Secretariat of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures (SETELECO) by the General Subdirectorate of Telecommunications Operators and Digital Infrastructures, within the framework of the Multiregional Operational Program of Spain ERDF 2014-2020, having ERDF assistance from 491 million euros.
This Aid Programme complies with the criteria established by the European Commission on State aid for broadband, complying with national and European regulations to that effect. It is also in line with the priorities set out in the Ultra-Fast Telecommunications and Networks Plan.
Areas of action
The zones of action have been those that SETELECO has identified annually after the elaboration of a detailed map of coverage and the conduct of an exhaustive public consultation, and correspond to:
- Areas that do not have NGA network coverage and do not plan to be deployed over a three-year horizon (NGA white areas).
- Areas that, even if they have coverage or coverage forecasts within three years, are provided by a single infrastructure that is not capable of providing broadband services at speeds of 100 Mbps or higher downstream or upstream (NGA grey areas).
The selection of the specific areas of action, within the previous ones, has been carried out in the first instance by the operators in their requests for assistance. The final selection has been the result of the competitive concurrence process between all applications.
The beneficiary operators have been natural or legal persons belonging to the private sector that have the status of duly authorized operator, in accordance with the provisions of articles 6 and 7 of Law 9/2014, of May 9, General of Telecommunications.
See more information about Grants and public calls for proposals.