"Ultrafast broadband should deliver 100 Mbps to all and 1 Gbps to 50% of the EU's households. This is a radical increase in the digital agenda targets and I am happy that the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee endorsed this ambitious approach yesterday", said Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and Shadow Rapporteur for the Report on trans-European telecommunications networks i.e. the telecoms side of the Europe Connecting Facility.

"Yesterday's vote also sharpens the criteria for public investments in ultrafast broadband by ensuring that these monies prioritise projects delivering minimum speeds of 100 Mbps to rural areas and 1 Gbps to high density areas. This is an investment for the future and a first step to regain the EU's global leadership in telecoms", said Gunnar Hökmark.

He continued: "Rural areas must not be left behind but should be as connected as all other parts of Europe. Ambitious speed criteria for broadband deployment in rural areas will help bridge the digital divide and make the whole EU competitive."

"Funding via the European Connecting Facility can act as a catalyst for investments that would otherwise not happen. Encouraging investments in broadband that delivers world-leading speeds will stimulate a development where economic growth and new services are created in the EU, instead of in Asia and the US", concluded Gunnar Hökmark.

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For further information:
Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845822
Per Heister, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-496-645530

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 270 Members and 3 Croatian Observer Members.