Editorial: Millions wasted on unnecessary cable trenches

Estonia is embarking on a costly and potentially unnecessary project to lay millions of euros worth of internet cables in rural areas. The initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, is set to bury 45 million euros worth of cabling, a move criticized as a wasteful expenditure of taxpayer funds. Experiences from rural residents suggest that satellite internet solutions, like Starlink, offer a more sensible and economical approach. These satellite connections do not require the extensive and expensive groundwork associated with traditional fiber optic cables. The article argues that Estonia's investment in underground cabling is misguided, especially when a viable and cheaper alternative exists. Public money, whether from Estonia's national budget or EU structural funds, could be better allocated rather than spent on redundant infrastructure.