More dark clouds in the broadband sky: are we still on target?

The fact that the Swedish Transport Administration's long processing times are hampering the expansion of broadband, which is very important for Sweden, is something that has concerned us for a long time. We have not yet seen a solution to this challenge, and now even darker clouds have appeared in the broadband sky. The Swedish Transport Administration has announced that it will not grant permission for broadband expansion in parts of the minor road network. The agency claims that the roads cannot withstand fiber laying, which is partly due to deferred maintenance. For broadband expansion, and the digitization of Sweden, the signals that come from the government's own authority Trafikverket, also in this matter, are very worrying.

The government itself has set goals for a connected Sweden, and in order for these goals to be achieved, a proper fiber expansion is required. It should go without saying that fiber should be laid alongside other existing infrastructure, and not in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, it is somewhat absurd that it is an authority responsible for infrastructure - of all possible actors - that is becoming the main obstacle to achieving the goals of a connected Sweden.

It is a fact that governments depend on the market to continue investing in digital infrastructure. Simply because it is not the government itself that builds out fiber, but the market that does the job. If they are allowed to do the job, that is. In light of this, it is strange, to say the least, that the Swedish Transport Administration is allowed to continue to delay the expansion. First with excessively long processing times and now also with limited expansion opportunities. All the hassle created by the authority results in extensive costs and jeopardizes the investments that Sweden is so dependent on.

This was our clear message to Minister for Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth and Minister for Digitalization Peter Eriksson when we, together with Telia and IP-Only, met them at Rosenbad at the end of January. It should be obvious that the situation is serious. We expect responsible politicians to take action and assume responsibility. Because one thing is certain: without the investments of private actors, the goals of a connected Sweden will never be achieved.