The first meeting of the working group on Exchange of Best Practices for broadband internet access and the development of the 5G network (WG NBP/5G) of COCOM was held last 21 September in Brussels. The aim was to gather information from member states on the respective national broadband plans, organise and determine the group’s working methods and begin discussing the four topics that WG NBP/5G will focus on, namely:
- Topic 1 – approaches followed in the scope of the national broadband plans of each member state;
- Topic 2 – measures to facilitate implementation of small cells;
- Topic 3 – opportunities for government communications (emergency networks);
- Topic 4 – measures to stimulate investment in network infrastructures.
WG NBP/5G of COCOM was established in the wake of the connectivity goals set for the Union and the so-called 5G Action Plan. This group chaired by the European Commission should identify between September 2017 and January 2018 the best practices followed in national broadband plans with a view to achieving those connectivity goals with respect to 5G. Its results, contained in an informative report, will be forwarded for COCOM approval in March 2018.
