Category 5: Broadband coverage in less developed regions or rural areas High-speed broadband in Auvergne, France (€10 million in EU funding from ERDF) High-speed broadband is an essential ingredient in ensuring competitiveness in today's world. But in sparsely populated areas, private telecommunication operators are frequently reluctant to take on all the risks of investing in these so called "white areas". Faced with this challenge, Auvergne established a public/private partnership (PPP) in 2005 to extend high-speed broadband coverage to 100% of households, which was achieved by early 2009.