European Union: Adopted Council general approach on Gigabit Infrastructure Act

On 5 December 2023, the Council of the European Union adopted its common position (general approach) on the proposal for Regulation on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks (Gigabit Infrastructure Act), which aims to facilitate and stimulate the implementation of very high capacity networks by promoting the joint use of existing physical infrastructure and by enabling a more efficient deployment of new physical infrastructure so that the networks can be rolled out faster and at a lower cost. The Gigabit Infrastructure Act aims to ensure faster, more reliable, data-intense connectivity and would replace the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014). The Council's position introduces some amendments to the proposal. Among others, the tactic approval was deleted, a transitional period for smaller municipalities was included, fair conditions for access were clarified, and it was stated that not only fiber allows reaching high-speed capacity. Following the adoption of the general approach, the trilogue negotiations will start.