Deputy Minister Philippos Hadjizacharias discussed with his counterparts the future of connectivity and the need for state intervention to ensure coverage coverage in areas where the market is not investing, and also presented Cyprus’ strategy on artificial intelligence issues, during the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of the EU which took place in Luxembourg on Friday, according to a statement circulated by the PIO.
The ministers discussed the future of the connectivity sector and the need for measures which could boost investment in infrastructure, while also touching on the challenges facing the electronic communications sector. Part of the discussion focused on the growing importance of access to secure and reliable connectivity infrastructure which is necessary for an efficient single market.
During the discussion, Hadjizacharias pointed out that both the EU’s connectivity targets as well Cyprus’ national targets can only be achieved through state intervention. He explained that this is necessary to extend broadband coverage to “white areas” where the market is not willing to invest, such as semi-urban, rural and remote areas.
The Deputy Minister noted that Cyprus has made significant progress in the deployment of very high capacity networks (VHCN) and that the country has a subsidy programme in place for the deployment of such networks.
Hadjizacharias added that the Electronic Communications Code, along with the proposed Gigabit Infrastructure Act and Gigabit Recommendation, provide a stable and predictable framework within which investors, operators and consumers can make long-term decisions with confidence.
According to the statement, the Deputy Minister also referred to the challenges facing the electronic communications sector such as growing cyber threats, given the heavy reliance on electronic communications networks and services by critical operators and infrastructure in other sectors.
Hadjizacharias also stressed the need to expand international connectivity through submarine cables, underlining that this is of critical importance for Cyprus as an island member state.
During the Council, ministers also had an exchange of views and best practices on challenges raised by the use of Artificial Intelligence. In his intervention, Hadjizacharias referred to the Cyprus AI Strategy, which revolves around the establishment of a national committee for the reliable and ethical use of this technology. The aim, he said, is to create a safe, efficient and inclusive ecosystem.
Source: Cyprus News Agency