In February 2023, the Commission has adopted a proposal for a ‘Gigabit Infrastructure Act' which will replace the BCRD (2014). In this context the European Commission also published the study prepared by WIK-Consult/ICF/ecoact supporting the impact assessment of the proposed ‘Gigabit Infrastructure Act’. The study includes the evaluation and impact assessment reports (with annexes).
In this study, we provide an overview of how the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD) has been applied across the EU, and evaluate each of the measures as well as the Directive as a whole, in line with the principles established in the Better Regulation Toolbox. Further, based on the principles established in the Better Regulation Guidelines, and drawing on the evaluation of the BCRD, we elaborate on the problems which are hampering the deployment of fixed and wireless VHCN connectivity and their causes, identify possible objectives and consider detailed options for the revision of the Directive.
