Hungary 4iG pledges HUF150bn in fixed broadband, 5G investments in pact with govt.

Hungarian telecoms and IT group 4iG – the parent of operators including DIGI Hungary and Vodafone Hungary – has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government to strengthen its role in implementing the national digital strategy and economic policies to increase domestic and international competitiveness.

As announced on its investor relations site, under the MoU 4iG committed to invest HUF150 billion (USD429 million) in mobile and fixed networks in Hungary by 2028, in the process expanding gigabit-capable fixed broadband coverage to an additional 1.1 million households using fibre and 5G fixed wireless technologies, and deploying 5G mobile network access in Budapest and its environs, across regional centres of all 19 counties and along major transport routes via at least 1,000 base stations.

The expansion and upgrade programme will help to achieve its goal of making broadband internet and high-definition TV services available to ‘nearly 100%’ of the population, 4iG declared.

As part of the MoU, the government reiterated its commitment to abolish two existing taxes on telecommunications service providers. As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate the removal of the utility tax and supplementary telecoms tax was announced in September as part of a joint declaration between the state and nationwide telco Magyar Telekom, with the latter pledging rapid fixed broadband and 5G expansion.

4iG added in its MoU announcement that it will contribute to digitalisation of Hungarian SMEs, accelerate national Industry 4.0 developments, increase energy efficiency, implement digital government and education systems, support innovation and R&D activities, and modernise systems in the health, defence and law enforcement sectors.

From Allnetfiber, From commsupdate.