Editing Telecommunications in Lithuania (section)

== Internet and digital progress ==

=== Users and skills ===
In 2022, [[internet usage]] among individuals in Lithuania reached 87%, just below the EU average of 89%. The country has made progress in enhancing digital skills but still encounters hurdles in achieving the Digital Decade targets set for 2030. As of 2022, 49% of the population had attained at least basic digital skills, slightly under the EU average of 54%, and the proportion of individuals with above-basic digital skills was 23%, marginally lower than the EU benchmark of 26%.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Digital Decade Country Report 2023 - Lithuania |url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/98619 |website=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-27 |title=Country reports - Digital Decade report 2023 {{!}} Shaping Europe's digital future |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/country-reports-digital-decade-report-2023 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

=== Fixed broadband ===
In Lithuania, the uptake of [[broadband]] services with speeds of at least 100 Mbps was 52% in 2022, marginally below the European Union (EU) average of 55%. Coverage of Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) and [[Fiber to the Premises]] (FTTP) was at 78%, surpassing the EU averages of 73% and 56%, respectively. The "Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure" project, funded by the [[European Regional Development Fund]] (ERDF) for the period 2018-2023, facilitated the installation of 1,235 kilometers of [[fiber-optic]] lines and initiated the construction of telecommunication towers. Additionally, as part of the revised National Broadband Plan, the "Development of gigabit broadband infrastructure for digitally sensitive users" project, supported by EUR 49 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), is designed to extend connectivity to 5,000 users across private companies, non-governmental and governmental organizations, municipalities, and municipal companies.<ref name=":02" />

=== Mobile broadband ===
Lithuania's adoption of [[mobile broadband]] demonstrated growth, increasing from 74% in 2018 to 85% in 2021, marginally below the EU average of 87%. The expansion of [[5G]] coverage in the country was notably rapid, commencing from 0% in 2020 to 33% in 2021, and subsequently increasing to 90% in 2022, thereby surpassing the EU average of 81%. Moreover, Lithuania's advancement in the allocation of 5G spectrum experienced a marked rise, advancing from 5% in 2021 to 47% in 2023, catching up to the EU average of 68%.<ref name=":02" />

=== Ultra-fast broadband goals ===
The [[European Commission]]'s "Broadband in Lithuania" report from September 2022 outlines Lithuania's plan, initiated in October 2021, to implement [[Ultra-Fast Broadband|ultra-fast broadband]]. This plan aims to provide [[Internet-Speed|internet speeds]] of at least 100 Mbps (megabits per second) to households and public institutions in both [[Urban area|urban]] and [[Rural area|rural areas]] by 2027. Such speeds are suitable for various online activities. Aligned with the Lithuanian Information Society Development Programme and the Digital Agenda of the [[Republic of Lithuania]], the initiative is designed for nationwide broadband infrastructure expansion.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-18 |title=Broadband in Lithuania {{!}} Shaping Europe's digital future |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/broadband-lithuania |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

In terms of [[infrastructure]], Lithuania has committed €75 million to construct [[Communication tower|communication towers]] and install [[fiber optic]] lines, striving for 95% of households to have access to these high-speed Internet services by 2025. Additionally, the [[Ministry of Transport and Communications (Lithuania)|Ministry of Transport and Communications]] is guiding the country's [[5G]] advancements. Guidelines established in 2020 focus on rolling out next-generation mobile networks, including uninterrupted 5G services along major transport routes by 2025.<ref name=":0" />

=== Digital public services ===
In 2022, Lithuania's usage of [[e-government]] services by internet users reached 83%, exceeding the EU average of 74%. The nation's digital public services for citizens and businesses scored 84 and 94 out of 100, respectively, surpassing the EU averages of 77 and 84. Mobile friendliness in Lithuania was rated at 97 out of 100. Additionally, Lithuania's access to [[e-health]] records scored 92 out of 100, exceeding the EU average of 72. The country is implementing a digital public and administrative services reform with a budget of EUR 115 million, aiming for completion by 2026. This includes modernizing the State Information Resources Interoperability Platform (Electronic Government Gateway).<ref name=":02" />