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Bridging the digital divide and addressing the need of Rural Communities with Cost-effective and Environmental-Friendly Connectivity Solutions

Project description

Rural and remote areas to get digitally connected

In an increasingly digitalised and connected world, it is more important than ever to have access to fast and reliable broadband services. However, rural and remote areas are constantly overlooked when it comes to connectivity solutions, as they are rarely considered a priority. The EU-funded COMMECT project will address this by developing a solution that extends broadband connectivity to remote communities. To that end, it will integrate non-terrestrial with terrestrial xG cellular networks, and employ state-of-the-art technology to reduce energy consumption. Moreover, it will develop a support tool to select the best connectivity solution. Project work will significantly improve quality of life in remote areas by impacting sectors such as healthcare, education and business.

Objective

Over the last years, the importance and need for broadband and high-speed connectivity has constantly increased. The Covid-19 pandemic has even accelerated this process towards a more connected society. But this holds mainly true for urban communities. In Europe a 13% lack access still persists, and mainly concerns the most rural and remote areas. Those are the most challenging to address since they are the least commercially attractive. COMMECT aims at bridging the digital divide, by providing quality, reliable, and secure access for all in rural and remote areas. The goal of extending broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas will be achieved by integrating Non-Terrestrial Networks with terrestrial cellular XG networks, and low-cost Internet of Things (IoT). Artificial Intelligence, Edge and Network Automation will reduce energy consumption both at connectivity and computing level.
Participatory approach with end-users and ICT experts working together on development challenges will be the key for the digitalization of the sector. To ensure the rich exchange of best-practice and technical knowledge among the actors of the agro-forest value chain, COMMECT will set up five Living Labs across and outside Europe, where end-users “pain” and (connectivity) “gains” will be largely discussed, from different perspectives.
COMMECT aims at contributing to a balanced territorial development of the EU’s rural areas and their communities by making smart agriculture and forest services accessible to all. COMMECT will facilitate that, by developing a decision-making support tool able to advise on the best connectivity solution, according to technical, socio-economic, and environmental considerations. This tool, incorporating collaborative business models, will be a key enabler for jobs, business, and investment in rural areas, as well as for improving the quality of life in areas such as healthcare, education, e-government, among others.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL6-2021-COMMUNITIES-01

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Coordinator

LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 851 485,00
Address
5 AVENUE DES HAUTS FOURNEAUX
4362 Esch Sur Alzette
Luxembourg

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Region
Luxembourg Luxembourg Luxembourg
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 851 485,00

Participants (18)

Partners (1)

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