Press Release: Commission approves public funding of broadband projects in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Scotland and East Midlands

Regarding the project in the French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the European Commission decided that, under certain conditions, the public co-funding of an open broadband infrastructure constitutes compensation for the provision of a Service of General Economic Interest and hence is not State aid. In its assessment of the two projects in the United Kingdom, the Commission found that the aid granted is compatible with EU rules since it is provided only to the extent necessary to develop the use of broadband services in remote and rural areas, 16 November 2004.