Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways - Studies

The objective of this topic is to deploy strategic networks as part of the Digital Global Gateway Strategy of the EU, contributing to strengthen the quality of connectivity within the Union as well as with third countries. It specifically includes submarine cables systems, satellite infrastructures and connectivity to internet exchange points.

By supporting the targeted deployment of such connectivity, CEF Digital will have a positive impact not only on strengthening the connectivity capacity, but also on stimulating commercial offers of connectivity.

This topic will support studies for the deployment of backbone connectivity for routes within Member States, between Member States, and between the EU and third countries, including to remote territories which can fit within the scope described in Section 2.1 of the Call document (topic CEF-DIG-2021-GATEWAYS-WORKS).

Proposals under this call shall address studies, including all preparatory work required prior to signing a contract with a supplier is covered under this call. Efforts specifically include tasks such as marine ground surveys for submarine cables and application for required permits.

Beneficiaries can be (local) operators, utilities, (local) authorities, investors and vendors, or consortia of the before mentioned groups.

The proposals under this topic are subject to strict exclusion of non-EU controlled entities, under the Article 11.4 of the CEF Regulation. The assessment of the foreign (non-EU) control will be addressed during the eligibility phase of the evaluation of proposals. Participants will be requested to submit an ownership control questionnaire for this purpose to determine their control status. They will also be requested to submit supporting documents in order for the Commission to determine that the entities are not controlled by a third country. Concerning infrastructures connecting the EU with third countries, legal entities established in third countries should exceptionally be eligible to receive Union financial support under the CEF where this is indispensable for the achievement of the objectives of a given project of common interest and conditional on submitting a declaration, approved by the connected third country, providing guarantees that certify that the involved legal entity:

a) Exercises full control over its corporate structure and decision-making process in a manner that does not restrain or restrict in any way its ability to perform and complete the action and is not subject to foreign jurisdiction obligations that may undermine the security of the Union;
b) Effectively prevents access by non-eligible third countries or by non-eligible third country entities to classified and non-classified sensitive information relating to the action;
c) Ensures that the results of the CEF funded action shall remain within the beneficiary/beneficiaries and shall not be subject to control or restrictions by the exceptionally eligible third countries, or other non-eligible third country entities during the action, and for a justified period after its completion (typically the expected lifetime of the infrastructure), as defined in these call conditions.

It is also expected that proposals under this topic will be developed in the context of agreements between the EU and the concerned third countries being connected to the EU.

The expected benefits go beyond those directly related to supported projects and contribute to bridging the digital divide, and ensuring widespread access to gigabit networks for everybody in the EU and all businesses. Moreover, this connectivity infrastructure can cross-facilitate the implementation of other topics supported under CEF Digital, such as the take-up of 5G use cases, and the availability of HPC-related facilities, etc.