The Analyses of Main Factors in Implementation of Broadband Internet in Croatian Rural Areas

The use of broadband communication technologies has an important role in economic development of a country. Bringing high-speed Internet access in rural areas overcomes a digital divide between urban and rural areas. Broadband accelerates economic growth, expands productivity and enhances the quality of life in rural areas. This paper deals with the rural broadband in the Republic of Croatia. It examines all the geographic and demographic data important for economic evaluation of broadband access in Croatian counties. Furthermore, it proposes the criteria for defining rural counties in the Republic of Croatia. Finally, it presents the quantitative analyses of bringing broadband in those counties and the qualitative analysis indicating factors that affect consumer behaviour when choosing new services.