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Best practices to support the defining of adequate broadband internet access service

Starting: 10 Dec Ending

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P40

PROPOSED EUROPEAN COMMISSION DATA

Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) Data

The DESI[37] is a composite index that summarises relevant indicators on EU MS’ digital performance and tracks the progress in digital competitiveness. The five dimensions of the DESI are connectivity, human capital, use of the internet, integration of digital technology and digital public services (separate report e-Government and benchmarking, Digital Single Market).

At risk of poverty and social exclusion

People at risk of poverty or social exclusion by most frequent activity status (population aged 18 and over)[38]
Reasons for not having internet access at home - % of households with at least one member aged 16 to 74 and without internet access at home[39]

Digital inclusion

Individuals[40]
Internet use[41]
E-commerce sales[42]

Internet purchases by individuals[43]
Consumers' behaviour related to online purchases[44]
Internet activities[45]
E-government activities of individuals via websites[46]

e-banking and e-commerce[47]
Financial activities over the internet[48]

Participation in social networking[49]

Broadband connection

Household - type of connections to the internet[50]
ICT usage in enterprises - Internet access[51]

European broadband mapping

European broadband mapping (SMART2014/0016 and SMART2012/0022);[52]

Geographic surveys: QoS-1: Calculated availability of Service, network performance of existing infrastructure
Geographic surveys: QoS-2: Measured provision of Service, excluding end user’s environment.
Geographic surveys: QoS-3: Measured experience of Service, including end user’s environment.

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P41


Figure 27: Proposed European Commission Data

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P42

The current Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) Report 2019[53] on use of internet services highlights that there are still large disparities across EU MS regarding the use of internet services.

The 2019 report may be summarised as follows. The differences in regular internet usage shrank further in 2018, however in some MS, over a third of the population still does not regularly go online.[54] The share of people in the EU who have never gone online decreased again in 2018, currently of the population never goes online11%.[55] Despite convergent trends, large disparities remain across MS. 83% of people in the EU go online at least weekly. A general gap persists but is narrowing. The elderly and those with low education levels or on low incomes continue to be at risk of digital exclusion.[56] Growth in the use of online services is generally slow, although use of the internet for video on demand picked up significantly in 2018.[57] Almost every third internet user (31%) watched video on demand in 2018.[58] Participation in online social networks increased moderately in the EU in 2018, reaching 65% of internet users. Participation in online professional social network is still very low in the EU, oscillating at around 15% of internet users in 2017.[59] Participation in online social networks increased moderately in the EU in 2018, reaching 65% of internet users.[60] The upward trend in e-commerce continues in 2018, with around 69% of EU internet users now shopping online.[61]The most popular goods and services purchased in 2018 were clothes and sports goods followed by travel accommodation services and household goods.[62] Only 36% of online shoppers ordered cross-border goods and services from other EU countries in 2018.[63] 64% of EU internet users used online banking in 2018, although a large majority of them still do not in a number of MS.[64] Seeking health information on the internet is widespread, but only one-fifth of EU internet users made an online appointment with practitioner in 2018.[65]

The Eurostat Data for households with broadband access indicates that 86% of the individuals throughout the European Union are connected via broadband in 2018 (fixed or mobile connections). It also shows data on the reasons for individuals for not having internet access at home i.e. equipment costs are too high or lack of skills.

The Eurostat data shows that 97% of enterprises (which employ at least ten people) are connected to broadband (via fixed of mobile connections), with 17% of enterprises receiving online orders in 2018.

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Figure 28: Chronology of the introduction of Broadband USO in 9 MS

P43

EU BROADBAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAPPING PROJECT

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P44

The European Commission launched two major projects that examine the mapping of broadband data on a European scale. Mapping of fixed and mobile broadband services in Europe (SMART2014/0016) and Study on Broadband and Infrastructure mapping (SMART 2012/0022).

This is building on existing data sets gathered from national public authorities and private international crowdsourcing initiatives, which are mapped for the first time on a European scale. The mapping application covered three different data sets all of which reflect Quality of Service (QoS) in different ways:

- QoS-1: Calculated availability of Service, network performance of existing infrastructure;
- QoS-2: Measured provision of Service, excluding end user’s environment;
- QoS-3: Measured experience of Service, including end user’s environment.

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Data sets that reflect Quality of Service (QoS)
Figure 29: QoS concepts (Source: European Commission. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/broadband-and-infrastructure-mapping-project) QoS concepts

P45

Data provision to the project is voluntary and is carried out continuously.

This project will ultimately be replaced by the BEREC Guidelines on Geographical surveys of network deployments. This data provision will be mandatory in MS and will ultimately address QoS-1 to QoS-3. This will become an important input in the ongoing review and development of the BEREC best practices report.

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P46

To date Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Latvia, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom have adopted legislation and have already included the provision of broadband connection in the scope of universal service.

For ease of comparison, each MS is presented in a consistent manner commencing with a summary table addressing when a broadband USO was introduced, designation (where relevant), evaluation and eligibility criteria used, bandwidth specified, quality of service and monitoring parameters, affordability measures and whether the USO is industry or State funded. This is followed by a brief written summary.

The information is based on two questionnaires and ancillary clarification questions issued by BEREC to the relevant MS.

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Figure 30: Belgium

P47

Belgium considered the introduction of a broadband USO after the Royal decree came into force on 9 June 2014.[66] BIPT used the evaluation criteria outlined above and was guided on the practical application of Article 4 of the USD (“substantial majority of the population”) and by the COCOM Working Document “Implementation of the revised Universal Service Directive: internet-related aspects of Article 4” (COCOM10-31 FINAL) and assessed the prevailing technologies used by the majority of subscribers. The broadband take-up rate was greater than 50%, and 80% of broadband subscribers had a throughput of over 8.5 Mbit/s.

BIPT also developed a list[67] of possible services it deemed necessary for social inclusion,[68] which ultimately formed part of the broadband USO. This included ‘surfing the internet’[69] which encompassed a number of elements now listed in Annex V of Directive (EU) 2018/1972 (but excluding real time video as it was not considered essential for social inclusion at that time). This list of services was accessible at a functional bitrate of 512 kbit/s since at that time not having access to real time video – needing a data transmission rate of 8 Mbit/s would not impose a risk of social exclusion.

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Figure 31: Source; Analysis Mason 2013

P48

Belgacom then commissioned a study to establish the potential cost of extending broadband coverage to 100% of households. At the time of this study 99.8% of households theoretically had 1 Mbit/s coverage. The study examined the cost of imposing (1) a 512 kbit/s, (2) 1 Mbit/s and (3) 2 Mbit/s broadband USO. The incremental cost of imposing a 512 kbit/s was estimated at less than €0.05 per annum per household connected to a broadband USO. The incremental cost of imposing a broadband USO of 1 Mbit/s was estimated at less than 0.01% of revenue of the ECS providers in Belgium. The incremental cost of imposing a 2 Mbit/s broadband USO was estimated to be in excess of €5 million, which if imposed would lead to significant market distortion, without any significant incremental benefit to end-users, when compared with imposing a 1 Mbit/s broadband USO.

Accordingly BIPT introduced a broadband USO of 1 Mbit/s in 2014 for all primary residential premises, with no cap on the cost per premise. It has a guaranteed 24 x 7 x 365 download speed availability of at least 1 Mbit/s, except for a maximum period of one hour per day.

BIPT has not introduced any specific broadband USO affordability tariffs, as operators with a turnover greater than €50M are already legally obliged to offer social tariffs for fixed telephone and internet to certain categories of consumers.

BIPT has not designated a USP as the Belgian market is currently being served on a commercial basis. BIPT monitors the number of complaints received in respect of the absence of a 1 Mbit/s connection at the primary residential premises. To date BIPT has only received complaints pertaining to high speed broadband and digital TV, which are beyond the scope of the current USO. BIPT will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate whether it is necessary to designate a USP.

BIPT continuously monitors quality, availability and affordability of broadband USO through its quality of service barometer, coverage map, and tariff comparison tools.

Where applicable, the broadband USO would currently be funded by industry.

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P49

Croatia

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Figure 32: Croatia

P50

Croatia introduced a broadband USO in January 2015.[70] HAKOM recognises that a lack of access to broadband, where Croatian government services are increasingly becoming digital by default, may result in social and economic exclusion for sections of society.

HAKOM used the evaluation criteria outlined above and was also guided on the practical application of Article 4 of the USD (“substantial majority of the population”) by the COCOM Working Document “Implementation of the revised Universal Service Directive: internet-related aspects of Article 4” (COCOM10-31 FINAL). HAKOM assessed the prevailing technologies used by the majority of subscribers, using its market analysis data to identify the prevailing bandwidths being used by end-users. HAKOM also considered the main services being used by end-users, however it did not develop a list of online services based on social and digital inclusion.

HAKOM also analysed the expected availability of broadband without public intervention and concluded that, absent public intervention, a significant number of residential premises access to broadband would lag behind the majority. HAKOM did not develop or use a model to estimate the connectivity levels (in Mbit/s) and the investment needed to deliver it. HAKOM also considered available EU country data.

In January 2015 HAKOM’s initial assessment based on the aforementioned evaluation criteria resulted in a broadband USO of a minimum of 1 Mbit/s. This applies to the availability of a broadband connection, residential premises only, where no cost cap per premise applies.

HAKOM sought expressions of interest from industry in becoming the designated USP(s). No expressions of interest were received in respect of a broadband USO, and accordingly HAKOM has nationally designated the incumbent (HT d.d.) as the broadband USP.[71] The current broadband USO designation period is 4 years and will expire in November 2019.

HAKOM has not specified any broadband QoS, or affordability obligations on the USP. HAKOM currently monitor the broadband USP’s compliance with its obligations based on the number of broadband access connection complaints received by HAKOM, who ultimately decides whether any non-compliance with its broadband USP obligations has occurred.

HAKOM are currently assessing universal service in advance of the expiry of the current designation, and amended the minimum broadband speed from 1 Mbit/s to 4 Mbit/s (download with an upload of 512 kbit/s) from January 2020.

Where applicable, the broadband USO would currently be funded by industry. There is no reimbursement of the net costs, where the USP has a market share by total revenue of 70% or more. Currently the incumbent has a market share in excess of 70% by total revenue and under national legislation there is no reimbursement of the net costs.

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P51

Finland

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P52

Figure 33: Finland

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