Deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructures during the economic crisis. The case of Xarxa Oberta

The deployment of fibre based Next Generation Access Networks (NGANs) entails a crisis dilemma. During crisis, public administrations are eager to actively impulse investment in NGANs since the deployment of these networks may increase productivity in the long run and promote economic recovery in the short run. However, the crisis has reduced the access to the credit market and has increased the fiscal deficit. Consequently, the resources of the public sector to invest have been severely limited. Thus, it is crucial to analyse how the public investment plans in NGANs should be designed and implemented during bad times, under scarcity of public resources. The article proposes some guidelines for the design and implementation of effective and affordable public projects for the deployment of NGANs. These guidelines are illustrated by discussing the Xarxa Oberta case, a project for the deployment of a NGAN in Catalonia (Spain).

► During crisis, investment in NGANs is more needed but also more difficult to implement. ► Xarxa Oberta is an effective and affordable project for the deployment of a NGAN. ► The key is in giving services to all instead of giving fibre to a few.