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On behalf of the Province of Zeeland, Dialogic, in collaboration with engineering firm P.I.M., conducted a feasibility study on the deployment of broadband in the rural areas of the municipality of Veere. By combining a survey among residents and entrepreneurs, engineering of various technical options, and business case modelling, we explored the possibilities.
The main findings of the study are:
- The research provided insights into which solutions for high-speed internet are technically and financially feasible for addresses in the rural areas of Veere. A survey was conducted, and calculations were made for the costs of two different solutions.
- The 270 survey respondents are increasingly experiencing issues. Around 80% are willing to pay nothing or a maximum of €20 extra per month for a faster connection.
- The installation of a fibre optic network costs approximately €4,000 per address. A business case can be viable if 66% of the addresses participate, contribute a one-time fee of €1,000, and pay a monthly rural area surcharge of €20 for twenty years on top of a monthly market-rate subscription of around €50. (These amounts are exclusive of VAT.)
Considering the investigated willingness to pay in Veere and experiences elsewhere in the Netherlands, both Dialogic's consultants and the municipality and Province consider this solution not actually feasible for the short to medium term. The realization of fibre optic networks seems to require a great deal of patience and perseverance over several years. - The costs of installing the most realistic alternative (a fixed-wireless network) have also been estimated. The approximate costs range from a one-time contribution of €250 to €750 per address (small to large users) and monthly fees of €40 for individuals up to a maximum of €200 per month for heavy users like recreational areas. These amounts are based on the pilot project in Cadzand-Bad (Sluis). The pilot will be evaluated this autumn with the main question being: are people satisfied with this solution?
On September 23, we presented our insights at an information session attended by around forty interested residents and entrepreneurs in the town hall of Veere. This presentation can be viewed here. Our results, together with the outcomes from the municipalities of Noord-Beveland and Sluis, will now form the basis for the Province to align its future broadband policy.