Norway. Viken Fiber AS

The loan has been provided for the roll-out of fast optical fibre broadband networks in Norway during 2019–2020.

The roll-out plan includes approximately 30,000 new customers. The penetration rate in new areas is expected to increase from the current 60% to 70% due to the investment.

The roll-out will provide new digital infrastructure and services by expanding coverage and increasing capacity and speed.

Increased access to fast optical fibre broadband contributes to Norway’s national digital strategy of providing a minimum of 100 Mbit/s broadband connections to 90% of all households by 2020.

Viken Fiber AS is among Norway’s largest broadband services providers. The company builds and operates optical fiber broadband services from Altibox to over 175,000 private households and corporate customers in Oslo, Akershus, Buskerud, Vestfold and Østfold counties as well as the Grenland district of Telemark county.

Highly developed digital infrastructure is a key driver of both economic progress and development.

Given the rapidly increasing range of services, volumes of traffic, increasing number of smartphones and the connection of billions smart objects through the Internet of Things and access to data stored remotely, broadband infrastructure needs to keep pace with demand.

Expanding coverage and improving quality and access to the internet have the potential to boost growth, develop new business models and transform established industries. The intensity of internet usage will only increase when it comes to e-government, e-commerce and online banking.

Estimated productivity impacts related to the investment:

• +30,000 fast optical fibre broadband customers

• Increase in broadband speed

No significant negative environmental or social impacts are associated with the project.