On 24th March 2023 the kick-off meeting for the Technical Assistance (TA) project for the Montenegro Broadband Infrastructure Development was held in Podgorica. The project includes updating technical documentation, procurement and contract strategies, procurement plans, market models, tender documents, and environmental and social action plan and follows on from the Feasibility completed in 2020. The European Union provided a grant of €525,000 for this project through the Western Balkans Infrastructure Framework (WBIF) which will be implemented by Infrastructure Project Facility 11 (IPF 11) with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as the lead International Financial Institution (IFI).

The Government of Montenegro places great importance on the digital sector which is included in all relevant strategic documents in the country. The Strategy of Digital Transformation of Montenegro 2022-2026 acknowledges the need for further development of the digital infrastructure, especially in the context of balanced regional development.

The current situation in Montenegro includes four main telecom operators, with most rural areas being served by one operator for mobile connectivity. Copper technology is still the main solution for internet service in most suburban and rural settlements with many rural areas are served via ‘broadband wireless access,’ mainly Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks.

The overall objective of this Project is to strengthen the economic and social development of Montenegro through the deployment of Next Generation Access (NGA) fixed broadband infrastructure. Increased access to information and communication technologies (ICT) will boost digital connectivity between Montenegro and other countries in the region and the EU, reduce the digital gap and contribute to the balanced regional development and inclusion.