Aug 26 2010
The Estonian Broadband Development Foundation (EBDF) is constructing an optical fiber network in the rural regions of Estonia. The EBDF, established by the information and telecommunication companies, has planned to deploy the network in all developed regions by 2015. The construction work will commence shortly in 14 locations, while tenders for other 18 locations are underway.
The EstWin network will provide high-speed internet access to remote rural regions. During the first phase of the project, fiber optic cable measuring nearly 6,000 km will be completely laid out. The lay-out will have more than 1000 network points. EBDF will build the basic infrastructure of the network and telecommunication operators will deploy the network connections to the residential homes.
EBDF’s members include Televõrgu AS, Tele2 Eesti, Ericsson Eesti, Eltel Networks, EMT, Elisa Eesti and Elion Ettevotted.
The fiber-optic network project will cost approximately 1.5 billion kroons. Majority of the funds will be handled by the European Regional Development Fund. Nearly 50% to 60% of Estonian homes are expected to have broadband internet access.