Rural ICT Testbed - #fullcoverage
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Luleå tekniska universitet - Centrum för Distansöverbryggande teknik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 8 965 072 |
| Project duration | May 2018 - October 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-driven innovation - Phase 2 Collaboration |
Purpose and goal
The economic values created over the areas called rural areas are a significant part of many countries´ GDP, since the world largely consists of rural areas. The urban/rural divide is therefore not only Swedish. The project addresses both economic values and social and cultural values that will contribute to lively rural areas. The project´s long-term goals are attractive and competitive rural areas with full coverage and connectivity to the Internet, a public rural operator and new technologies.
Expected results and effects
The project´s expected effects include attractive and competitive rural areas with full coverage and Internet connectivity, a public rural operator and new technologies. Furthermore, an expected effect is to strengthen economic, social and cultural values that w ill contribute to lively rural areas. We are particularly looking forward to effects in health, education, the hospitality industry and agriculture. Another expected effect is to reduce the gap between urban and rural areas, and that people in rural areas feel fully included in social development.
Planned approach and implementation
The market has developed with full coverage in metropolitan areas and gradually commercial operators have reached less densely populated areas. Our solution instead is based on the "inside and out" paradigm. We start by connecting a few prototype areas in rural areas where today´s market mechanisms do not work and then spreading connections across rural areas using public sector and end-user investments. The partnership forms a group of problem owners, suppliers and facilitators sharing the necessary bold thinking.