Guide to Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation

high speed internet infrastructure. The EBP provides assistance to regions to work through the
different stages of the Guide to Broadband Investment as well as specific assistance through a
range of training modules, workshops and training events.
The EBP will also continue to work on the guide on broadband investment models with the
provision of additional models and with the evaluation of the impact of the models on the
development of the information society in regions and areas with a view to achieve Cohesion
and Rural development objectives.
Finally, to assist regions in the development of their RIS3, the S3 platform will also develop
services dedicated to broadband roll-out.
Regions are reminded to closely coordinate their plans with the actions included in the
national plans for high speed internet (national broadband plans) with a view to exploit
synergies and avoid duplication of efforts.
Rural development policy will support the development of fast and ultra-fast broadband
including its creation, improvement and expansion, passive broadband infrastructure and
provision of access to broadband and public e-government solutions. This may include small
and large scale projects.
For support under the Connecting Europe Facility see the guidelines for trans-European
telecommunications networks 92 .
92 CEF guidelines: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/news/speeches-
statements/pdf/20111019_3_en.pdf
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