Social vouchers for connectivity
Social vouchers for connectivity are intended to ensure an increase in broadband Internet services provided in Slovakia for a social target group in accordance with the new guidelines for state aid for broadband. We chose inspiration from selected EU member states such as Italy, Spain or Greece, as well as from the completed national project of the Digital Pupil. The social voucher can be used to pay for internet services, at a fixed location, with a download speed of min. 30 Mb/s at peak times. The voucher can be used to subscribe to a new broadband service or to keep your broadband services.
Slovakia is preparing social connectivity vouchers to help households and students cover the cost of fixed broadband access. This is the second pillar of the national broadband development program alongside building infrastructure in commercially unattractive regions. The project is based on EU state aid rules and the experience of other countries. They are social in nature; the state will define categories of recipients (e.g., lower-income families, pupils and students). The aim is to maintain or establish fixed connectivity in households for distance learning or telework. The vouchers will cover monthly fees, standard installation costs, and end-user equipment. The program applies exclusively to new fixed access points, not to mobile connectivity. Technical neutrality and non-discrimination of providers must be maintained. Operators will enroll in the system and become partners of the scheme. The ministry conducts market and subsequently public consultations with them, which are necessary for the approval of state aid. This ensures the availability of offers in the target areas at affordable prices.Social connectivity vouchers: what they are and who they’re for
