Regional Broadband Networks (RSS) – Regional Operational Programmes 2007–2013

An umbrella record covering the construction of the regional broadband networks (RSS), fibre-optic backbone-and-distribution networks implemented by beneficiaries under the regional operational programmes of the 2007–2013 perspective (and, financed separately, the Eastern Poland Development Operational Programme for the Lublin, Podlaskie, Podkarpackie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmian-Masurian voivodeships). The aim of the programme was to eliminate so-called digital-exclusion white spots and bring backbone infrastructure closer to residents of areas where it was not commercially viable for operators to invest. According to a summary by the Ministry of Digital Affairs (June 2016), over 23,000 km of new network was built during the 2007–2013 perspective, and nearly 6,000 km of network was delivered using existing infrastructure (approximately 30,000 km in total); 2,927 nodes were created (286 backbone and 2,641 distribution nodes), and beneficiaries spent a total of over PLN 3 billion implementing the projects. The record is listed as an umbrella to avoid double-counting with individual regional projects (e.g. Internet dla Mazowsza, the Greater Poland Broadband Network (Wielkopolska Sieć Szerokopasmowa), the Eastern Poland Broadband Network (Sieć Szerokopasmowa Polski Wschodniej)). A representative example of a regional project is the Lower Silesian Broadband Network (Dolnośląska Sieć Szerokopasmowa / Dolnośląska Sieć Szkieletowa), approximately 1,616 km of fibre-optic lines, co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Programme for the Lower Silesian Voivodeship for 2007–2013 (EU co-financing of approximately PLN 149.7 million), with a total value of around PLN 200 million, completed in 2015.