This document discusses the state of broadband in Denmark, highlighting its significant coverage and usage compared to the EU average. It emphasizes the disparities in broadband access and uptake between urban and rural areas, pointing to the slower growth and lower speeds in less developed regions. The report concludes by advocating for broadband as a crucial tool for rural development, urging for political leadership to address the existing broadband gap.

1. Broadband and regional development Vital Rural Area, Norwich, 17-18 september 2009 Flemming Just Professor, Head of Danish Institute for Rural Research and Development University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg www.sdu.dk/iful

2. Broadband in Denmark and Europe 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn Broadband DK (%) EU25 (%) EU Ranking Coverage 98.0 87.4 1 Uptake (% of pop.) 32.3 16.6 1 DSL uptake (% of pop.) 18.1 12.8 3 DSL uptake in rural areas 13 11 Companies with broadband access 82.7 74.5 8 Schools with broadband access 95.0 67.0 1

3. Use of broadband 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn Broadband DK (%) EU25 (%) EU Ranking % of pop. using internet 78.1 46.7 3 e-mail 74.2 43.8 3 Information search 67.8 42.9 5 Internet, telepfone, video conference 13.1 7.1 7 Play and music 26.3 18.2 8 Live Web-TV and radio 27.0 11.8 5 Read news etc online 46.4 19.0 4 Net-banking 57.2 220 5

4. Broadband in peripheral and rural areas Coverage and uptake lower than in centre areas/towns The gap is higher the less the country/region is developed Speed of growth slower than in centre areas/towns Speed Mbps not as high as in centre areas/towns 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn

5. Broadband i peripheral communities. Some advantages mentioned home working place (part-time) job creation Access to same information and possibilities as in bigger towns sales arguments for estate owners attracting young families binding local and associational life together combat population decrease indifference about kind of technology

6. but… other factors considered to be more important cheap houses public transport child care nature biking roads contribution to busines development? other localisation factors more important for companies establishing of knowledge intensive working places home working places

7. Lydum and Bølling 386 (- 5 %) 385 417 (- 1,7 %) 424 Bølling 316 (- 3,7 %) 323 328 (- 3 %) 338 Lydum 2008 2005 2002 2000

8. www.connectedcommunities.co.uk/ digital inclusion through establishing of broadband connection to even the most remote islands innovative local authorities and health care directed towards end users innovative web-based projects as local IP-TV participation of the youth in the socalled “Young Democracy” further spreading of jobs and new possibilities for distance work stimulation of new businesses (knowledge internsive firms and the creative sector) 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn

9. Connected Communities: IT skills . Written & oral communication (e-communication) · Team working (e.g. online collaboration) · Problem solving · Business awareness (e.g. Web presence of companies) · Creativity & innovation (e.g. possibilities of emerging software) · Inter-personal skills (e.g. online team building) · Attitude & enthusiasm (e.g. overcoming technophobia) · Technology skills (e.g. emerging new technology) 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn

10. Evaluation: Positive effects on.. • service to citizens • number of companies and their turn-over • number of e-business- and e-trade possibilities • wages and type of rural workforce • number of young people in the a • health information via IP-TV • number of employed in the creative industry • research and development and new campus (University of Highlands and Islands). 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn

11. www.connectingsomerset.co.uk Broadband investments from Social Fund and regional (Somerset now ranked 4th in England med bredbånd e-business intensive training-workshops e-skills in general Broadplaces (improved access in rural areas) 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn

12. The importance of broadband for rural development 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn - - Equal opportunities e-entertainment Stabil work force and basis Feeling safe Quality of life e-health Content Rural advantages Citizens Local communities and region Company e-learning Competence creating Socio-economic stability Qualified work force e-public participation visibility Ressource optimisation e-business Distance work Business development Part of global network e-civil society Strengthening of social capital - - => Territorial attraktiveness

13. Conclusions and questions look more at content than technology How? the decisive difference between rural and urban uptake and speed is the educational factor How can broadband be an instrument to overcome the skills gap? the market cannot create sufficient development and equal opportunities How then to solve the rural broadband gap? What role for authorities? need for political leadership Who should be playmaker? 17-09-09 Flemming JustDit navn