Norway’s National Communications Authority (Nasjonal kommunikasjonsmyndighet, Nkom) has announced that an additional NOK150 million (USD14.6 million) is being made available by the government to support the rollout of broadband services in those areas of the country not considered commercially profitable. In a press release the regulator noted that in its ordinary state budget, the government had earmarked NOK256 million for rural broadband development in fiscal 2020, but has now increased that figure by NOK150 million as part of economic measures designed to address the potential consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As noted in TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, while the Nkom had previously managed the state broadband scheme, in November 2019 it was revealed that from 2020 county municipalities would take over the responsibility of managing broadband funding. For its part, the regulator continues to have an active role in offering guidance regarding the use of allocated funds, and on issues regarding state aid regulations and rules on third party access. It also continues to gather statistics on the development of broadband networks that results from state funds.
