La banda larga del Veneto: stato, orientamenti e politiche[The Broadband of Veneto Region: Condition, Perspectives and Policy]

The implementation of DAE (Digital Agenda for Europe) progresses, and by 2013 a first main target – the universal coverage of basic broadband - should have been achieved within the EU. Unfortunately, member states and regions continue to show persistent differences in terms of Information Society developments. Regional policies also differ, and these can play a substantial role – especially with supply-side investments targeted at the solution of the infrastructural digital divide. We focus on the case of Veneto region, where ICT and broadband developments are correctly perceived to be an essential ingredient to cope with the economic recession and industrial decline. After critically examining the condition and the recent evolution of regional broadband supply , we try to assess the main policies. On overall, our analysis positively evaluates the regional policy-making, while at the same time recognizing that the shortcomings of the initial situation (geographic morphology of the territory, technical conditions of the existing copper network, demographic characteristics and the territorially dispersed model of economic activity) call for stronger public financial means - lacking private incentives. Moreover, we generalize our analysis looking at the next challenges posed by the current transition to NGAN.