Economics, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Internet, Latvia, Technology

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The EU commissioner indicated that connectivity is the backbone of the European Union's (EU) economic growth, affecting infrastructure, digital services and the development of businesses.

Dombrovskis said that a more extensive 5G coverage will help develop industrial production and increase productivity. It will enable the growth of small businesses and public services. In the years to come, 5G is expected to provide significant economic growth opportunities, he said.

Dombrovskis underlined that 5G is necessary to ensure Europe's economic growth post-pandemic and that the pandemic has shown the importance of fast internet connections, which have allowed economies to keep working. 

The EU commissioner noted that investing in better internet networks and broader coverages slowed during the pandemic but that now is the right time to focus on such investments as part of the recovery process. It is also vital to develop internet services in rural regions where 40 percent of the population still have no access to high-speed internet connections.

"We have to make sure Europe has the broadest possible 5G coverage to support economic growth and public services," Dombrovskis said, adding that broadband connections and 5G connectivity are the basis for a green and digital transformation of the economy.

 Dombrovskis indicated that digital transformation remains the European Commission's priority and a central element of post-pandemic recovery plans.