Rural broadband: opportunities and challenges

Online debate  09:30-11:30 CET

Digital farming technologies have opened a wealth of new opportunities for farmers.

Remote sensors, satellites and drones can monitor plant health, soil conditions, temperature, nitrogen utilisation and much more. AI-based tools can analyse this data and provide insights to farmers, helping them make critical decisions and save money.

However, all this can only happen with rural broadband.

Broadband access in rural areas is still almost half of the EU average. In an effort to ensure these regions are not left behind, the European Commission has put in place an Action Plan for Rural Broadband. One crucial element is to connect the recently-formed 'Broadband Competence Offices' (BCOs) with rural stakeholders.

Only by connecting BCOs to the main actors dealing with specific hurdles encountered at rural level can the digital divide be addressed.  

This virtual conference discussed how the urban-rural broadband gap can be narrowed more quickly, and how rural broadband can help the agricultural sector grow sustainably.

PANEL 1: CLOSING THE URBAN-RURAL DIGITAL GAP - THE CASE FOR 'SMART VILLAGES'

• Janusz Wojciechowski, EU Commissioner for Agriculture
• Franc Bogovic MEP, Chair, RUMRA & Smart Villages Intergroups; Member, REGI Committee, European Parliament
• Abraham Liu, Chief Representative to the European Institutions, Huawei  

PANEL 2: RURAL BROADBAND AND DIGITAL FARMING

• Elsi Katainen MEP, Vice-Chair, AGRI Committee, European Parliament
• Robert Henkel, Policy Officer, Investment in High-Capacity Networks, DG CNECT, European Commission
• Pekka Pesonen, Secretary-General, COPA-COGECA

MODERATOR:

Jennifer Baker, Journalist, EURACTIV