https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4290-2136
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ABSTRACT
This paper explores multilevel governance (MLG) in the context of state aid programmes for the diffusion of broadband in the European Union. By comparing three EU Member States (Italy, Spain and the UK), the qualitative analysis illustrates how MLG affects both the implementation of public interventions and the reduction of regional inequalities in the access to broadband. The analysis suggests that a distributed and shared governance is potentially beneficial for the implementation of state aid programmes, but its application is constrained by idiosyncrasies in the structure of the public and private sector.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. Superfast broadband refer to broadband networks delivering a minimum download speed of 30 Mbit/s (EC, , Citation2019a). This implies the (at least partial) replacement of existing copper loops with newly-installed optic fibre.