In May, the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) launched a study on the geographical coverage of broadband networks. It is scheduled for completion in December this year. The data collected by the survey will be made available to the public, businesses and decision-makers to maximise the interests of the growing number of electronic communications users.
“Lithuania is currently undergoing a transition from a megabit to a gigabit society, the transformation of which depends mainly on how the country’s communications infrastructure is developed, i.e. whether or not it reaches everyone in the country. This survey is therefore an important contribution to the further progress of our country”, explains Jūratė Šovienė, Chairwoman of the CRA Council.
According to the Chairwoman of the CRA, in the future, the data gathered during the survey will be used in other studies and analyses, in determining coverage requirements related to the allocation of radio frequencies (channels) and the conditions for their use, as well as in determining the accessibility of electronic communications services provided under universal service obligations.
“Most importantly, our data will be used by national and local authorities to make decisions on how to allocate funds for building or upgrading electronic communications networks, as well as to develop national plans for broadband networks. In addition, the survey will identify areas where there are no electronic communications networks capable of providing electronic communications services at a downlink speed of at least 100 Mbps,” emphasises J. Šovienė.
The survey will use both existing and newly collected data from the CRA, including data on the quality and parameters of electronic communications services provided. It will have to be updated at least every three years.
The broadband coverage survey will also use data from the Operators’ Network Information System (OTIS) on the geographical and technological deployment of Lithuanian operators’ public fixed-line networks, as well as data from the Base Station Registration System (BSRS) on the base stations owned by mobile operators.
“The remaining data will be collected from providers of electronic communications services that have mobile and/or fixed networks. The survey is planned to collect data from more than 70 fixed and mobile service providers”, says J. Šovienė.
Updated on 2023-08-03