📋 Tender Overview
At today's meeting, the government adopted a decision on the issuance of the Regulation on the use of public funds for the construction of high-performance fixed broadband networks, i.e. for the upgrade of existing fixed networks, the construction of 5G mobile networks, the construction of back-end networks and the promotion of connectivity.
With the regulation, the government defined in more detail the implementation of the provisions of the Electronic Communications Act on the use of public funds for the construction of networks and the promotion of connectivity, such as the conditions for their use, eligible costs, the content of the application for public co-financing of the project, the method of determining the price of operator access to the co-financed network, establishing the mechanism for monitoring and refunding funds and the conditions for implementing measures to promote connectivity.
The national strategy Digital Slovenia 2030, adopted by the government in March last year, places broadband infrastructure for Internet access among the key factors of economic and social development, therefore its construction and promotion of use are in the public interest. Broadband access to the Internet throughout the entire country enables steady development, reduces the digital divide and increases inclusion. In addition, it opens up new opportunities in business, private and public life, in learning, employment, access to public information and services and social networks, in increasing productivity, creating innovative business models, products and services, more effective communication and elsewhere.
With the regulation adopted today, the goals set by the national strategy are also closer to being realized: ensuring coverage of all households with a gigabit network by 2030, ensuring coverage of all companies and other promoters of socio-economic development with a gigabit network, and ensuring coverage of all populated areas with a 5G network .
In addition to providing adequate digital infrastructure even in areas where there is no market interest in construction, it is useful to once again draw attention to the concept of universal service. Its fundamental purpose is the prevention of digital exclusion and represents a safety net for users, as it provides everyone with adequate broadband access to the Internet. Consumers with special needs are offered price options or packages that differ from those provided by the universal service provider under normal commercial conditions.
