Reply: Can the public sector afford to pay for digitization?

Today, market players are investing heavily in expanding the digital infrastructure, with over ten billion every year. Our call to the Minister for Digitization is simple: make the most of this willingness to invest," write Anna-Karin Hatt, CEO of Almega, and Caroline af Ugglas, Deputy CEO of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, in a debate article in Dagens Samhälle.

If Sweden is to meet its ambitious broadband targets and enable as many people as possible to connect to a future-proof digital infrastructure and gain access to affordable digital services, many players need to invest, cooperate and compete. Building broadband to all Swedish households is estimated to cost over SEK 50 billion and it is therefore crucial that the investments made last as long as possible.

What the government has been clear about, and which has also served Sweden well, is that the digital infrastructure should primarily be built by market players. Not to favor market players or to question municipalities that build broadband networks, but because the role of the public sector should be to build where the market lacks commercial conditions, to stimulate market investments, and to make these investments last as long as possible. In short, to maximize the benefit of the means and resources available - for the greatest possible benefit of citizens.

The risk municipalities take when they themselves build where the market is willing to build is to be left with empty cash when parts of the development in the municipality remain. This is at a time when most municipalities are now emphasizing the importance of giving all residents equal opportunities. Is this a wise way to use society's resources? Who will then pay for those who are left without?

Today, there is not a single Swedish municipality that has achieved the goal of 100 percent access to broadband connection on its own. Those that have succeeded best have done so in close collaboration between private and public actors.

Today, market players are investing heavily in expanding the digital infrastructure, with over ten billion every year. Our call to the Minister for Digitization is simple: take advantage of this willingness to invest so that everyone - 100 percent - in Sweden can have access to a fast and secure digital infrastructure, without unnecessarily burdening society's limited and for so many other efforts important resources.

We believe this will bring many benefits to citizens, businesses and society at large!

Caroline af Ugglas, Deputy CEO Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

Anna-Karin Hatt, CEO Almega