The Official College of Telecommunications Engineers (COITCV) is part of the broadband commission created to promote the deployment of ultra-fast access networks in the industrial estates of the Community, together with the Federation of Business Estates (Fepeval) and the General Directorate of Information Technologies of the Generalitat Valenciana.

Currently there is an urgent need, regarding Email Data connection to ultra-fast access networks, by companies located in all business areas. Specifically, the deployment of fiber optic networks is required.

The commission aims to promote the installation of new generation networks in industrial estates, understanding that it is a determining factor for the growth of the competitiveness of Valencian companies located there.

At the meeting of said committee, the solutions that have been adopted in the Foral Community of Navarra and the Basque Country regarding this issue were analyzed. The possible aid is provided by both the state government and the European Union, but all of it is intended for the deployment of ultra-fast access networks (>30Mb) in which there are no short-term deployment plans, that is, those listed as “white zones”. Therefore, the first step is to inform and catalog business areas in detail as “white zones” when applicable. The deployment of ultra-fast networks will allow companies to work in Cloud, and access the aid that the EU offers for the modernization and digitalization of SMEs.

One of the obstacles that must be overcome is that the business model of broadband operators does not coincide with that of business areas, as they have a smaller number of clients in larger areas, which results in a higher cost. increase in the civil works necessary for the deployment of fiber optics.

The commission verified that there are aids such as those managed by the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (Ivace) in 2017 for the provision of infrastructure in industrial areas amounting to 17 million euros, of which the town councils have requested €970,000 to invest in broadband network deployments. It should be remembered that town councils cannot be operators of the fiber optics that are installed in their business areas, although they can charge a fee to the operators for its use.

Finally, it was agreed to hold regional information sessions to inform operators and local corporations of the current situation in each municipality in coordination with Ivace.