Insight
Access to backbone connectivity varies significantly across the European Union (EU) and, in some regions, inadequate connectivity can impact the development and performance of access networks. This disparity may also lead to potential imbalances in service pricing for both network operators and users. Fortunately, EU funding programme CEF-Digital plays a crucial role in addressing these connectivity challenges by supporting infrastructure development in those regions where market forces fail to address them.
Ensuring robust quality and resilience of the networks within Europe and beyond is of strategic importance to the EU. It is vital for safeguarding its sovereignty in this domain.
Therefore, the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) is pleased to announce its third participation as an exhibitor at the Submarine Networks EMEA event. Hervé Dupuy, Head of Unit responsible for managing CEF-Digital, will present updates on the programme’s latest developments during the “News in Brief” session on Tuesday, 18 February 2025.
To date, the programme has awarded €420 million in grants to 51 projects, the majority of which focus on subsea cables. Currently, the EU is co-funding studies and cable deployment projects in regions such as the Arctic, the North and Baltic Seas, the Caribbean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, as well as cables connecting the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira.
As a key part of the European Union’s renowned Global Gateway Strategy, HaDEA runs CEF-Digital’s Backbone Connectivity for Digital Global Gateways programme that co-funds the deployment of backbone network systems within EU countries, between EU countries, and between the EU and its global partners. This initiative aims to ensure that gigabit connectivity becomes widely accessible and secure for businesses and individuals.
Projects co-funded by Connecting Europe Facility Digital in Backbone Networks.
According to Hervé Dupuy: “With our fourth call for proposals open until 13 February, we have earmarked €128 million to support the construction of infrastructures that meet the Union’s connectivity needs, including complementary routes that enhance redundancy. We are especially prioritising projects that incorporate state-of-the-art technological solutions, such as smart cables. Proposals that combine complementary initiatives to achieve a broader geographical reach and that avoid overlapping segments are also important to us.”
The Submarine Networks EMEA conference has proven to be an invaluable platform for the European Commission to connect with current and future beneficiaries of the CEF-Digital programme within the submarine cable industry.
CEF-Digital is a funding programme initiated by the European Union in 2021 to support and catalyse investments in digital connectivity infrastructures of common European interest, with a total budget of €1.5 billion.
Join HaDEA at Submarine Networks EMEA, the world’s most important subsea connectivity event
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