Fibre broadband 'essential to meeting EU internet access goals'

Fibre broadband technology will play an essential role in helping the EU to meet its targets for improving access to high-speed internet connections.

Speaking recently at the Cable Congress of the European Cable Communications Association, the European Commission's digital agenda vice-president Neelie Kroes has stated that "significant investment" is needed to bring broadband standards up to scratch.

In order to accomplish this, Ms Kroes said it is essential to move away from old-fashioned monopolistic business practices and instead embrace a mix of providers and technologies, including fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-cabinet services.

The European Commission representative said that by improving the EU's broadband infrastructure and encouraging the development of more compelling online content, the economy as a whole can benefit.

"I'm saying to you: let's do these things and let's make that investment. Let's unblock the broadband bottlenecks and let's watch the innovation and creativity pour out," she concluded.

Last month, EurActiv reported comments from Ms Kroes' spokesperson Ryan Heath suggesting that penetration of super-fast fibre optic networks in Europe has been slow compared to that of mobile and regular broadband.