Digitalization, Connectivity, and Smart Cities: The Case of Romania

Broadband communications allow and facilitate the development of a wide range of information and communication technology services, while increasing productivity and competitiveness, hence supporting economic growth. This paper focuses on the case of Romania, seeking to explain the need for investments in broadband infrastructure for the next generation networks (NGN), to describe the necessary interventions on the market in this respect, and to present the priorities and possible financing sources of such a project. Moreover, it discusses the importance of enhancing 5G technology in Romania, as well as developing a new cyber center in the country. It concludes that the implementation of new technologies in Romania will have a significant impact on the gross domestic product in the coming years, yet the impact will be gradual. Our work is motivated by the fact that Romania is an emerging European state with a great potential for growth, but in order to unlock this potential, policies must channel their focus on investment in information and communication technology, which has been proven so important for multilateral development.