Federal government invests 900 million euros in broadband expansion in 2022

Due to high demand, the federal government is assigning 300 million euros from the budget – an extra 570 municipalities will be covered and investments of over 2 billion will be triggered

In recent years, digitalisation has experienced an incredible boost. Following the Covid pandemic, everything from video conferencing, working from home, and e-prescriptions have become commonplace. What they all share is the need for a fast and stable Internet.

“My job as Minister of Digitalisation and Finance is to create the right framework conditions. Only a strategically sound digitalisation policy will make people’s everyday lives easier and offer a level playing field for Austria as a business location. That’s why we’ve drawn 300 million euros from the existing budget and are investing 900 million euros in broadband expansion in 2022. This triggers investment of at least 2 billion euros,” explained Digitalisation and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner.

An additional 300 million

The first broadband billion stimulated investments totalling 2.5 billion euros, and broadband expansion has reached over 1,300 municipalities. With the second broadband billion totalling 1.4 billion euros, a lot will happen over the coming months and years. Originally, investments of 600 million euros were planned for this year through the Open-Net (450 million euros) and Access (150 million euros in October) funding programmes. However, in light of the high level of demand, 300 million euros will be brought forward to allow a total of 900 million euros to be invested in broadband expansion.

“The Federal Government has set itself the ambitious goal of supplying the whole of Austria with fixed and mobile gigabit connections by 2030. In order to achieve this goal and take advantage of the digitalisation push, we are bringing forward 300 million euros this year to invest 900 million euros in broadband expansion. There has never been so much funding for broadband expansion. Good digital infrastructure allows us to create equal opportunities in the regions and make better use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation, so that at the end of the day we are digitalisation winners,” said State Secretary for Digitalisation and Telecommunications, Florian Tursky.

“The second broadband billion allows us to make even better use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation, because broadband expansion is also crucial in making a business location attractive. A strong digital infrastructure helps create equal opportunities in the regions and helps establish Austria as one of the most liveable countries in the world,” said the Finance Minister.

Thanks to initial planned investment of 750 million euros, more than 570 municipalities can be provided with new broadband connections, in turn stimulating investment of over 2 billion euros. In October 2022, an additional 150 million euros will be invested through the Access funding programme.