The model for successful development of NGA infrastructure in the Balkans
Abstract
Unavailability of fast broadband internet access, primarily due to the lack of commercial interest of telecommunication operators, is the key reason for economic underdevelopment in rural areas in the Balkans. The process of developing broadband access in rural areas is multifaceted, complex and time-consuming. This paper analyses the current state of availability of broadband access in the Balkan countries, and investigates the algorithm with specific project phases and benefits of stakeholders at the national and local level. The purpose of the paper is to develop the model that rationalizes the implementation process of the broadband internet access projects, and to define the method of selecting an investment model for construction of broadband infrastructure. The results show that the Balkan countries have to start with preparatory activities and studies needed for successful implementation of the given model. This research contributes to stopping demographic and socio-economic degradation in less-developed areas, at the same time encouraging their development.
References
Briglauer, W., & Gugler, K. (2013). The deployment and penetration of high-speed fiber networks and services: Why are EU member states lagging behind? Telecommunications Policy, 37(10), 819-835. doi:10.1016/j.telpol.2013.05.003.
Briglauer, W., & Briglauer, W. (2014). The impact of regulation and competition on the adoption of fiber-based broadband services: Recent evidence from the European union member states. Journal of Regulatory Economics, 46(1), 51-79. doi:10.1007/s11149-013-9237-4.
Briglauer, W., Cambini, C., & Grajek, M. (2015). Why is Europe lagging on next generation access networks? Brussels: Bruegel. Retrieved December 12, 2015, from http://bruegel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pc_2015_14.pdf.
Cave, M., & Martin, I. (2010). Motives and means for public investment in nationwide next generation networks. Telecommunications Policy, 34(9), 505-512. doi:10.1016/j.telpol.2010.07.003.
Currie, M., Philip, L.J., & Roberts, A. (2015). Attitudes towards the use and acceptance of eHealth technologies: a case study of older adults living with chronic pain and implications for rural healthcare. BMC health services research, 15(1), 1. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0825-0.
European Commission. (2010b). Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. COM (2010) 2020 final. Retrieved November 10, 2015, from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52010DC2020&from=EN.
European Commission. (2010a). A Digital Agenda for Europe. COM (2010) 245 final. Retrieved December 12, 2015, from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52010DC0245R(01)&from=EN.
Grgurić, I. (2010). Europe 2020 - europska strategija za pametan, održiv i uključiv razvoj. Revija za socijalnu politiku, 8(1), 119-124. doi:10.3935/rsp.v18i1.963. In Croatian.
Gruber, H., Hätönen, J., & Koutroumpis, P. (2014). Broadband access in the EU: An assessment of future economic benefits. Telecommunications Policy, 38(11), 1046-1058. doi:10.1016/j.telpol.2014.06.007.
Kalhagen, K.O., & Elnegaard, N.K. (2002). Assessing broadband investment risk through option theory. Telektronikk, 98(2/3), 51-62. Retrieved November, 25, 2015, from http://www.telenor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/T02_2-3.pdf#page=53.
Katz, R.L. (2008). Ultrabroadband investment models. Communications and Strategies, 72, 99-116. Retrieved November 13, 2015, from https://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/mygsb/faculty/research/pubfiles/3275/UBB_kATZ.pdf.
Kongaut, C., & Bohlin, E. (2014). Unbundling and infrastructure competition for broadband adoption: Implications for NGA regulation. Telecommunications Policy, 38(8), 760-770. doi:10.1016/j.telpol.2014.06.003.
Kramer, R.D.J., Lopez, A., & Koonen, A.M.J. (2006). Municipal broadband access networks in the Netherlands-three successful cases, and how New Europe may benefit. In: 1st international conference on Access networks: ACM. doi:10.1145/1189355.1189367.
Lundvall, B.Å., & Lorenz, E. (2012). From the Lisbon strategy to Europe 2020. In: N. Morel, B. Palier, J. Palme (Eds.), Towards a Social Investment Welfare State: Ideas, Policies and Challenges (pp. 333-352). Hamburg: Kovac. doi:10.1332/policypress/9781847429247.003.0013.
Maguire, D.J., & Longley, P.A. (2005). The emergence of geoportals and their role in spatial data infrastructures. Computers, environment and urban systems, 29(1), 3-14. doi:10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2004.05.012.
Marcus, J.S., & Elixmann, D. (2012). Re-thinking the Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE): A richer choice of technologies. Studie für Liberty Global, September. Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://www.wik-consult.de/uploads/media/Re-thinking_the_Digital_Agenda_for_Europe.pdf.
Ministarstvo pomorstva, prometa i infrastrukture. (2014). Okvirni nacionalni program za razvoj infrastrukture širokopojasnog pristupa u područjima u kojima ne postoji dostatan komercijalni interes za ulaganja. Retrieved July 23, 2015, from http://www.mppi.hr/UserDocsImages/MPPI_Okvirni_program_NGA_BB%2020-3_14%20FINAL.pdf. In Croatian.
Ministarstvo regionalnog razvoja i fondova Europske unije. (2014). Operativni program “Konkurentnost i kohezija”. Retrieved November 14, 2015, from http://www.mrrfeu.hr/UserDocsImages/01%20OPKK%202014-2020%20hrv%2027112014.docx. In Croatian.
Nucciarelli, A., Sadowski, B.M., & Achard, P.O. (2010). Emerging models of public–private interplay for European broadband access: Evidence from the Netherlands and Italy. Telecommunications Policy, 34(9), 513-527. doi:10.1016/j.telpol.2010.07.004.
Osmanbegović, E., & Rožajac, A. (2013). E-spremnost kao mjera razvijenosti informacionog društva-pokazatelji e-spremnosti u zemljama zapadnog Balkana. Tranzicija, 15(31), 40-55. In Croatian.
Palmer, K. (2000). Contract issues and Financing in PPP/PFI (Do we need the ‘F’in DBFO projects). UK: Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) Commission of Public Private Partnerships. Retrieved September 4, 2015, from http://www.axrg05.dsl.pipex.com/docs/final_contract_issues.pdf.
Papadias, L., Chirico, F., & Gaál, N. (2009). The new State aid broadband guidelines: not all black and white. Competition Policy Newsletter, 2009(3), 17-25. Retrieved November 28, 2015, from http://broadband.cti.gr/el/download/broadband_guidelines.pdf.
Qiang, C.Z., Carlo M.R., & Kaoru K. (2009). Economic impacts of broadband. Retrieved November 28, 2015, from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTIC4D/Resources/IC4D_Broadband_35_50.pdf.
Rampersad, G., & Troshani, I. (2013). High-speed broadband: assessing its social impact. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 113(4), 541-557. doi:10.1108/02635571311322784.
Roetter, M.F. (2013). Global broadband benchmarking 2013: best practice lessons for governments. Journal of Information Policy, 3, 619-666. doi:10.5325/jinfopoli.3.2013.0619.
Tolušić, M, Koporčić, N., & Tolušić, Z. (2013). Uloga i važnost EU fondova za Republiku Hrvatsku. Ekonomski Vjesnik, 26(1), 215-221. In Croatian.
Van der Wee, M., Verbrugge, S., Sadowski, B., Driesse, M., & Pickavet, M. (2015). Identifying and quantifying the indirect benefits of broadband networks for e-government and e-business: A bottom-up approach. Telecommunications Policy, 39(3), 176-191. doi:10.1016/j.telpol.2013.12.006.
Veugelers, R. (2012). New ICT sectors: Platforms for European growth? Bruegel Policy Contribution, No. 2012/14. Retrieved December, 10, from https://www.econstor.eu/dspace/bitstream/10419/72131/1/722471483.pdf.
Zhen-Wei Qiang, C. (2010). Broadband infrastructure investment in stimulus packages: Relevance for developing countries. Info, 12(2), 41-56. doi:10.1108/14636691011027175.
