Strategies for Rural Broadband

Achieving nationwide high-speed broadband networks is key to both the establishment of equal living conditions as well as all citizens gaining access to and participating in the information society. However, the availability of broadband in rural areas is still low. Overcoming the gap between population-sparse and population-dense areas is a key issue on the information society agenda. Decision-makers – at municipal and national levels – are facing increasing pressure to overcome these discrepancies. This book delivers insights for immediate action on two levels: The management perspective addresses the economic feasibility, while the legal perspective provides municipal decision-makers with FAQ-type guidelines for the swift implementation and legal applicability of rural broadband rollout solutions.
Preface The importance of broadband Internet is a topic that is receiving much attention. The availability of broadband in rural areas has been low; the overcoming of this gap tween population-sparse and population-dense areas has been a key issue on the formation society agenda. Decision-makers – at municipal and national levels – are facing increasing pressure to overcome these discrepancies. This book seeks to provide insights for immediate action on two levels. Firstly, the management perspective addresses the economic relevance of broadband and feasible business models. The second part of the book takes a legal perspective, providing nicipal decision-makers with guidelines for the swift implementation and the legal f- sibility of rural broadband rollout solutions. This dual approach combines the legal perspective with the field of business administration as well as economic restrictions with the field of law. Interdisciplinarity is crucial within this context. Allowances must be made for the form and format of both parts of the book. The authors have chosen to retain the legal and economic specifics in order to ensure usability in both areas. This book predominantly addresses people working with business models, broadband searchers as well as decision-makers and politicians evaluating the legal feasibility of broadband rollout projects at a municipal level. Therefore, the first part of the book focuses on the economical feasibility of rural broadband rollout strategies – including an international comparative analysis – as well as the sustainability of broadband technologies.