VOX raises another call for the New Generation Broadband Extension Program. In order not to lose the European Regional Development Funds (Feder). VOX in Aragon asks the Government to suppress or modify the requirements of the announcement announced for this year, with regard to the minimum number of real estate units.

This is stated in the Proposition No of Law that the deputy Marta Fernández has registered in the Courts. VOX considers it necessary to promote the execution of undeveloped state projects in our region. So that the current delay that we have been suffering is corrected.

For this, the appropriate procedures must be initiated to modify the requirements of future calls. Among others, the modification of European regulations with requirements that relegate the development of rural areas in broadband projects. This will improve digital connectivity. The coverage of rural or less populated areas will be reinforced. And they will be prevented from being left out of the calls.

Aragon has been left out

Recently, we have learned that the provinces of Teruel, Zaragoza and Huesca were left out of the provisional resolution of the New Generation Broadband Extension Program (PEBA-NGA). A program of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, whose objective is to improve the country's digital connectivity. And reinforce the coverage of rural or less populated areas. This program is managed by the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (Feder).

Of the 45 provinces that were initially planned to act, the provinces of Aragon were not among the 33 where aid had been granted. This implies discrimination due to unequal treatment towards the Aragonese provinces that so badly need this type of measure. The reason for such exclusion seems to be that it lies in the formulation of a requirement that was not taken into account in previous calls.

The Councilor for Science of Aragon has described these events in parliament, at the request of a question formulated by this parliamentary group, as "disaster of the formulation of the call by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation”.

And that has resulted in the loss of Feder funds due to deficiencies in the announcement of the call. As well as leaving out operators with a vocation to invest.

Eliminate the digital divide

The current model of broadband deployment is inefficient, since it is only viable in large cities where the investment is more attractive to operators. This criterion is questionable and entirely debatable. In less developed rural areas, what must be sought is to facilitate their connection. And its structuring so that its inhabitants can telework and prevent them from leaving the town for the benefit of large cities. It is about removing obstacles and facilitating the requirements for the digital divide to be eliminated.

VOX in Aragón claims that the right to access the internet is real and effective. And that broadband reaches the less populated rural areas.



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