Press & PR

The European Union has identified a gap between the countries with the best broadband provision and the worst - and aims to close it.

According to the organisation, Denmark is the strongest performer, while Bulgaria was identified as that which needs the most support. It claimed that lack of competition is one of the key reasons for this disparity.

Viviane Reding, EU telecoms commissioner, said that the widening of this gap is "unacceptable", even against a background of overall improvement.

"Europe must act now to get its broadband house in order. I will make specific proposals on this as part of our package of reforms for the EU Telecom Rules on November 13th,"she announced."

Ms Reding will also be meeting the Italian telecoms regulator in November to discuss the promotion of investment and competition.

As of July 1st 2007 there were 90 million fixed broadband lines in EU states - 20 million of which were created in the previous 12 months.