Press Release

Optical network development to start in new regions with Gigabit Hungary support

Telecommunications infrastructure service provider of the 4iG Group performed successfully in the second phase of Gigabit Hungary Programme (DIMOP_Plusz-3.1.2-25). Optical network development can be started in additional Hungarian regions, where coverage is not sufficient enough.

• Gigabit Hungary Programme – as part of the Digital Renewal Operational Programme Plus - aims to support the digital inclusion of less developed districts, especially in areas where the development of digital networks would not have been profitable on a market basis.
• A total of HUF 84.86 billion in funding was available in the two phases of the programme, with 21 service providers receiving support in 174 eligible districts. 
• Based on the results of the second phase, 2Connect, the telecommunications infrastructure service provider of 4iG Group, can begin optical network development in an additional 16 districts, on top of the previously awarded 24 districts, with the support of HUF 11.59 billion.
• As a result of the investments, residents and businesses in smaller communities will have access to the same level of digital services that are ubiquitous in urban areas.

Gigabit Hungary Programme (DIMOP_PLUSZ-3.1.2-25) represents one most significant digital infrastructure expansion initiatives of Hungary’s, contributing to the expansion of gigabit-capable coverage, in line with national efforts aimed at supporting the digital inclusion and competitiveness of rural areas. In the second phase of the call, applications could be submitted for 64 districts, and results were announced for 53 districts: in these districts, 21 service providers (including Magyar Telekom Telecommunications Plc. in 41 districts, TARR Építő, Szolgáltató és Kereskedelmi Ltd. in 12 districts, and VaderCom Ltd. in 11 districts) received non-repayable EU funding to deliver gigabit-capable network developments. In the second phase, 2Connect was awarded 16 of the 23 applications it submitted, with funding amounting to HUF 11 591 524 141, partly for regionally integrated network developments spanning multiple counties. The total value of the investments to be implemented over the next three years is approximately HUF 49.38 billion, of which HUF 13.4 billion – nearly 27% of the total development value – will be provided by the company.Developments implemented under the programme will create the possibility of access to high-speed, stable internet connections in more than 195,000 service locations, covering 240,000 households.

Implemented within the framework of the Digital Renewal Operational Programme Plus, the Gigabit Hungary Programme aims to provide a gigabit-speed, future-proof optical network nationwide, with a particular focus on regions where market-based telecommunications investments were previously not viable due to factors such as low population density or challenging geographical conditions.Network development projects implemented under the Programme primarily focus on Northern Hungary, Southern Transdanubia, Central Hungary, Central Transdanubia and the Great Plain, and the. By improving residential and business broadband access, the Programme supports digital inclusion and strengthens the competitiveness of rural regions.As a result of the developments, residents, businesses and public institutions in the affected communities will gain access to stable, reliable, high-speed internet connections, supporting the everyday use of digital services, remote work and electronic administration.

The call for applications was issued by the Ministry of Energy, with implementation coordinated by Digital Government Development and Project Management Ltd. (DKF) in cooperation with the DIMOP Plus Managing Authority. Applications could be submitted by district in two rounds: first between 8 and 26 August 2025, and subsequently between 26 September and 21 October 2025.

During the implementation of the projects, 2Connect:
• create the possibility of access to high-speed, stable internet connections in more than 195,000 service locations, covering 240,000 households,
• provide optical connectivity to more than 1000 mobile base stations, improving the quality and availability of mobile data services and 5G networks,
• deploy high-capacity connections at nearly 731 public institutions — including educational and healthcare facilities,• construct approximately 3,800 kilometres of optical network infrastructure in the affected districts.

Districts awarded to 2Connect under the entire tender process:

· Balatonalmádi District
· Bátonyterenye District
· Békéscsaba District
· Csongrád District
· Devecser District
· Dunaújváros District
· Gyomaendrőd District
· Gyula District
· Hajdúböszörmény District
· Hódmezővásárhely District
· Jászapáti District
· Makó District
· Mezőkovácsháza District
· Orosháza District
· Pásztó District
· Ráckeve District
· Salgótarján District
· Sárbogárd District
· Sarkad District
· Szarvas District
· Szécsény District
· Szeged District
· Szentes District
· Szob District
· Dunakeszi District
· Balatonfüred District
· Esztergom District
· Vecsés District
· Érd District
· Veszprém District
· Ajka District
· Celldömölk District
· Gödöllő District
· Pilisvörösvár District
· Jászberény District
· Pápa District
· Aszód District
· Sárvár District
· Várpalota District
· Zirc District

17 December 2025

4iG Group
4iG Group is a Budapest-based, majority Hungarian-owned technology and industrial holding company listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange. The Group is a leading player in Hungary and the Western Balkans, with a diversified portfolio spanning telecommunications and IT services, digital infrastructure development, as well as space and defence industries.
4iG’s activities cover high-capacity networks, data centre and international connectivity infrastructure, alongside technology-driven industrial and defence solutions. The Group serves residential, business and government customers in Hungary and across international markets.
Employing more than 11,000 people, 4iG Group focuses on long-term investments, technological development and international partnerships to strengthen Hungary’s and the region’s digital, technological and industrial capabilities. www.4ig.hu

2Connect
2Connect is one of Hungary’s leading telecommunications and infocommunications infrastructure service providers. As a neutral wholesale service provider, it delivers network and data centre solutions to telecommunications operators and retail electronic communications partners via a nationwide optical backbone network of nearly 42,000 km and 15,000 microwave endpoints. The company operates approximately 6,500 m² of data centre capacity across 12 locations — including facilities with TIER III certification — and ensures high availability through 24/7 monitoring. As a member of the 4iG Group, 2Connect connects the major markets of Eastern and Western Europe through its backbone network, providing future-proof, scalable infrastructure for participants in the digital economy. www.2connect.hu