Europaudvalget 2018-19 (2. samling)
EUU Alm.del Bilag 169
Offentligt
2076048_0001.png
Denmark’s response to the Commission’s public consultation on CEF2 Digi-
tal
Denmark appreciates the opportunity to comment on the priority areas for EU digi-
tal infrastructure investments and the best ways to address existing connectivity
needs with Connecting Europe Facility support.
As a general remark, Denmark would like to prioritize projects that promote the
green transition of our economies and societies, thus contributing to achieving the
European goals on energy efficiency and climate neutrality. As an example, pro-
jects that support the roll-out of 5G along traffic corridors can be mentioned, as 5G
can contribute to a more intelligent traffic management with a reduced CO
2
emis-
sion.
Specifically, it is our opinion that two types of actions should be prioritized for finan-
cial aid.
First of all, we find it evident that actions with a cross-border dimension and a
common European interest should have priority. Such projects are more unlikely to
be carried out by themselves than projects involving only a single Member State. In
this context we would like to highlight the need to support actions which can sup-
port the European targets on climate change, including CO
2
reduction and energy
efficiency.
Our second priority concerns actions targeted at creating access to high speed
broadband to households and businesses in underserved areas. In particular we
find it vital that CEF2 Digital can support projects in sparsely populated areas
where the business case for roll-out by the market is lacking. We find that this
agenda is far more important than supporting e.g. community Wi-Fi.
Overall it is important for us that financial aid is only provided for projects, which will
not be realized by the market players on commercial terms.
On this background, it is our opinion that the following actions should be prioritized
for support:
Cross-border 5G corridors along transport routes
We support this action as it contributes to reducing CO
2
emissions and innovations
of new technologies in the transport sector.
Side 1/2
EUU, Alm.del - 2018-19 (2. samling) - Bilag 169: Notat samt høringssvar vedr. Connecting Europe Facility 2 Digital
2076048_0002.png
Terabit connectivity for High Performance Computing (HPC)
We support this action as it contributes to increasing know-how and innovation
within the Union.
Energy efficient inter-connections of an EU cloud infrastructure fed-
eration
We support this action as it contributes to increasing innovation and energy effi-
ciency.
Submarine cables of strategic importance
Denmark finds it important, that EU prioritizes financial support to connecting re-
motely located areas such as smaller inhabited islands around Europe which could
be reached by submarine cables.
Operational Digital Platforms
We strongly support this action as it unites three sectors of the CEF2 which other-
wise may be more difficult to achieve.
We also support this action as it could aid in providing a digital platform for the es-
tablishment of e.g. smart grids and renewable energy.
Cross sector programmes
We strongly support this action as it unites three sectors of the CEF which other-
wise may be more difficult to achieve outside a support programme.
We also support this action as digital infrastructure may help to increase energy
efficiency and promote the green transition, i.e.in relation to the further develop-
ment and implementation of smart grids or to promote CO
2
-reductions in the
transport sector.
As for the action
Connectivity for 5G smart communities in Europe
we prefer
not to prioritize this. It is a priority for Denmark to connect the remaining few ad-
dresses to highspeed broadband, but we do not see this action as a way of reach-
ing this.
In our view, actions for connecting socio-economic drivers, including WIFI4EU, are
not relevant for improving connectivity in Europe. Therefore Denmark prefers to
prioritize actions targeted at connecting underserved areas to real highspeed
broadband.
Page 2/2