In the EU, the use of state funding for private sector projects is always subject to state aid rules, which aim to ensure that competition is not unduly distorted.
Over the past four weeks, we have presented selected case summaries from Cullen International’s new State Aid & Subsidies service, highlighting how the European Commission’s approach to enforcing these state aid rules is evolving together with the EU’s broadband policy objectives.
Our fourth and final highlighted case is a 2020 €200m Italian social voucher measure helping low-income families to subscribe to high-speed broadband services and to lease a PC or tablet.
This was the first notified broadband state aid measure which the EU member state justified based on a social, rather than economic, objective.
EU rules allow aid to individual consumers as long as the aid does not discriminate against any potential supplier of those consumers.
The European Commission’s clearance decision paved the way for similar social voucher measures in other EU countries, ahead of formal guidance expected later this year in the revised Broadband State Aid Guidelines.
For access to the case summary and/or a demo of our case database, please "Request Access" or simply on "Access the full content”, in case you are already subscribed to our State Aid & Subsidies service.
more news
02 May 24
Will tower companies take control of all mobile operators’ towers in Europe?
Two-thirds of mobile network operators in 12 analysed countries sold some or all of their towers to tower companies or funds. Cullen International’s benchmark analyses the activity of tower companies in 12 European countries.
26 April 24
Have member states transposed the EU collective redress rules?
Our new benchmark shows the status of transposition of the Collective Redress Directive in 17 EU countries. The research also includes information on recent collective redress actions against digital companies and telecoms providers.
25 April 24
[Cullen Explainer] Capital and purchased goods amount to most scope 3 emissions of telecoms operators
Our latest Explainer looks into scope 3 emissions, focusing on the reporting practices of telecoms operators.