The project “Development of Next Generation Internet Access Infrastructure” has been implemented
At the initiative of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania, the public institution “Plačiajuostis internetas” implemented the project “Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure”.
The goal of the “Development of Next Generation Internet Access Infrastructure” project was to enable residents to connect to next-generation access networks in areas that were not previously covered by such infrastructure and where no development was planned within the next three years.
During the implementation of the project, 1,235 km of fiber-optic cable infrastructure was installed and connected to the existing national fiber-optic network managed by “Plačiajuostis internetas”, which spans more than 11,000 km. As part of the project, 25 communication towers were built across 20 municipalities, 310 existing infrastructure sites were connected to the network and the necessary network equipment was installed to provide wholesale communication services in rural areas of Lithuania.
The infrastructure created during the project has made it possible for approximately 47,390 households located in “white areas” and around 273,880 households across the country to connect to the next-generation access network.
All the communication towers, each 60 meters in height, are connected to the “Plačiajuostis internetas” fiber-optic network and to electricity supply. The towers are equipped with modern security and video surveillance systems, allowing the institution’s network operations staff to monitor the tower areas 24/7 and to respond quickly to service disruptions and other incidents. This setup ensures a very high quality of wholesale communication services provided by “Plačiajuostis internetas”. In addition, auxiliary systems have been installed in the towers to allow remote control of operator and contractor access to tower sites, monitoring of tower tilt, and environmental parameter tracking.
The infrastructure created is used by “Plačiajuostis internetas” to provide wholesale communication services to all telecommunications operators under equal conditions and pricing. More information about the services available at the communication towers can be found [here].
The wholesale services and their tariffs are approved by the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania by Order No. 3-543, dated November 29, 2021,“On the tariffs for services provided by the public institution “Plačiajuostis internetas””.
In the long term, the infrastructure created through the “Development of Next Generation Internet Access Infrastructure” project and the opportunities it provides will have a positive impact on business innovation and competitiveness, labor market demand, household income, social mobility and inclusion, and opportunities for self-education in “white spot” areas.
The “Development of Next Generation Internet Access Infrastructure” project was implemented under Priority 2 “Promoting the Information Society” of the 2014–2020 European Union FundsInvestment Operational Programme of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania, measure No. 02.1.1-CPVA-V-521 “Next Generation Access Development.”
The project was partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Project implementation period: October 22, 2018 – August 31, 2023.
We invite you to watch the presentation video of the “Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure” project.