Public and private investment in the roll-out of superfast broadband is substantial (around 20 billion euros in France). It is based on the assumption that superfast broadband will have a positive impact on firm performance and the attractiveness of regions. The evaluation of the socio-economic effects of high-speed broadband networks is therefore crucial in order to judge the appropriateness of the investment made and to estimate the capacity of the PFTHD to achieve its objectives in terms of promoting the competitiveness of the French economy and digital usage.
The research project led by the IPP consists of a quantitative analysis examining the multidimensional effects brought about by the roll-out of high-speed broadband in regions, affecting both firms and households. This project was funded by France Stratégie.
The study focuses in particular on changes in digital usage brought about by high-speed broadband (particularly within firms), and aims, in a second phase, to estimate the impacts of these changes in usage on the structure of economic activity (business start-ups, relocation of business premises, and employment trends within firms), as well as on household income and expenditure (population, non-wage income, rents and property prices).
Given the health crisis that occurred during the course of this research project, part of this report uses very recent data to assess the resilience of areas connected to high-speed broadband in a context of social and professional distancing.
