European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed an agreement in Nuuk on Monday that secures EU funding for satellite-based internet in North and East Greenland.
The signing took place at Eutelsat OneWeb Satellite near Nuuk, DR reports. Von der Leyen was joined by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s head of government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
The agreement is expected to provide around 9.1 million euro in EU funding over five years for satellite internet in eastern and northern Greenland. Denmark is co-financing the project with 15 million kroner, according to DR. The Copenhagen Post reports the same funding figure and timeframe.
Neither von der Leyen, Frederiksen nor Nielsen commented on the deal immediately after it was signed. DR notes that the three leaders are holding a press conference later on Monday. There they are expected to present a joint declaration on cooperation between Greenland, the EU and Denmark.
Faster speeds in remote settlements
Internet connections are good in Nuuk and nearby areas, but the situation is different in northern and eastern Greenland. That gap is what the EU money is meant to address, per DR. Berlingske reports the project targets the same remote regions.
Jonas Hasselriis, chief executive of Greenland’s national telecom and postal company Tusass, told DR that speeds are expected to rise from 6 megabit to 15 megabit. According to Hasselriis, that means residents will be able to stream normally. He described the difference between the two speeds as significant for everyday users.
Hasselriis also said the satellite link will improve supply security. Remote towns and settlements are currently connected through a radio chain, a wireless system carrying internet and telephony over long distances. It consists of transmitters and receivers placed on mountains and peaks along the coast.
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As stated by Hasselriis, towns and settlements lose their connection entirely if the radio chain breaks. The satellite connection adds an extra line to those areas. He said the change will increase security of supply across the affected regions.
Part of a larger EU package
The satellite funding is one element of the EU investments von der Leyen was expected to unveil during the visit. DR notes that the Financial Times has previously reported the total package at 200 million euro, or about 1.5 billion kroner. The satellite project therefore makes up a smaller share of the overall sum.
The European Commission Representation in Denmark announced the Greenland visit on September 6. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark but left the European Community in 1985, and its autonomy from Denmark covers most domestic policy areas.
