NP-BBI Programme
National Programme for the Development of Broadband Backhaul Infrastructure in Areas Lacking Sufficient Commercial Interest for Investments
DigitalCroatia
Croatia
- The first objective of the NP-BBI Programme is to provide sufficient NGN backhaul capacity to serve the access networks in white NGA areas approved by the Commission in State aid SA.38626. (ONP programme for access networks) by the construction of the national NGN broadband backhaul passive infrastructure, as an infrastructural prerequisite for implementation of backhaul networks that will interconnect NGA networks and national core networks.
The implementation of the NP-BBI is a prerequisite for the full implementation of the ONP in all areas of the Republic of Croatia without an NGN backhaul infrastructure. The program supports only passive multi-fibre cables infrastructure for ultra-high speed internet access and aims to cover at least 540 settlements, which are initially prioritized and set as targeted settlements, located in suburban and rural areas of the Republic of Croatia.
- The second objective of the Programme is to ensure infrastructural prerequisites for connecting the public administration bodies (public users) to NGA networks with symmetric speed above 100 Mbit/s (ultra-fast access
The NP-BBI Programme formally includes two programme units: The Programme Unit A (PU-A), comprising the construction of the NGN backhaul infrastructure, and the Programme Unit B (PU-B), comprising the construction of NGA infrastructure to public users.
The targeted areas for the construction of the NGN backhaul infrastructure by PU-A in this Programme comprise areas currently without one, or where an incumbent owns the only available backhaul network. This Programme is necessary because the capacities and technological characteristics of existing backhaul network do not allow neither the development of NGA networks, nor the competitive supply of NGA services in suburban and rural areas of the Republic of Croatia. Such a situation hinders the uniform development of NGA broadband at a national level.
The infrastructure connecting public users within the PU-B will be implemented by passive Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) links between the backhaul termination node and the locations of public users.
The Programme will be carried out through a public investment model. The passive fibre infrastructure will be designed and built by the Republic of Croatia and retained in permanent public ownership. After the Program’s infrastructure is built, it will be offered to operators on the market at equal terms.
- Planning
Preparation of project documentation for approval in the EC (2020); Design of the project infrastructure (2021-2022); Build-out of project infrastructure (2021-2023). MRRFEU published the call and OIV applied. Since it is a major project, it is currently on IQR approval.
The overall estimated budget of the NP-BBI Programme is EUR 101.4 million, of which EUR 86.2 million (85%) will be funded by ERDF and the remaining EUR 15.2 million (15%) by national funds. The maximum aid intensity is 100%.
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