Recognizing that broadband is one of the keys to open Information Society door to Europe’s less-developed regions, rural and remote areas, SFERA project has released a prototype tool to assist European regions in the fast deployment of ICT access infrastructures, particularly broadband networks.

Broadband Atlas Tool allows visualization of trends and the actual situation of the Digital Divide in European underserved Regions, and to make what-if scenarios. The prototype is already available at http://www.broadbandatlas.eu. The development of an innovative graphical mapping tool has been received very positively by regions. Indeed it is a formidable tool to reduce the inherent complexity of the Analysis of the Causes and Solutions for the Digital Divide in Rural Areas in Europe.

The choice of an internet application, to be distributed via browser/online access also allows instant update of the application on the server and does not need any kind of installation on the client PC, except the presence of an up-to-date internet browser. This simplifies distribution of the application (prototype) and wide testing, that is essential for a potential further enhancement and development.