Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has also promised that over half a million more Swedes will gain access to fast broadband Internet over the next four years.

 

The plan aims specifically to provide 100 Mbps broadband by 2020, an investment the government hopes will create better living and working conditions for people all over the country.

 

“We can not continue with a strategy that leaves people out,” said digitalisation minister Peter Eriksson, according to news agency TT.

 

“I think that this is a rather important day,” Eriksson said as the government presented its new broadband strategy at Rosenbad in Stockholm.

 

According to Eriksson, three quarters of the population currently has access to fast broadband.

 

“It is unacceptable that not everyone is included,” said the minister.

 

The targets presented by the government can be separated into three steps.

 

In 2020, 95 per cent of all households will have access to broadband of at least 100 Mbps. 

 

In 2023, all of Sweden will be connected to stable mobile services of high quality. Connections will, according to the government, be good enough for users to go online entirely without limitations such as interruptions or lack of capacity. This will apply anywhere people or businesses can be found, such as in holiday homes, recreational areas, and on roads and rail routes.

 

By 2025, the whole of Sweden will have access to fast broadband.

 

“We have beaten our current targets and our new target is for all of Sweden to be connected by 2025,” said Eriksson.

 

Research has shown that, in addition to helping with everyday tasks such as using chat services, watching television and surfing the Web, the implementation of fast broadband can lead to overall savings. Municipal services will, for example, be able to save millions by replacing physical visits with video conversations.