Hrvatski Telekom and Split-Dalmatia County have announced the start of a major infrastructure project to build a fiber-optic network across the municipalities of Zmijavci, Lokvičići, Podbablje, Proložac, and Runovići, and the town of Imotski. The project, which is to be completed by June 30, 2026, will deliver ultra-fast broadband internet access to nearly 7,500 households in the area. This initiative is part of Hrvatski Telekom's broader effort to expand fiber-optic networks across Croatia, providing minimum speeds of 100 Mbps in towns, municipalities, and suburban and rural communities.
The project is implemented under the structural rules of the Framework National Program for the Development of Broadband Access Infrastructure in areas of insufficient commercial interest for investment. The value of the fiber infrastructure construction project in the municipalities of Zmijavci, Lokvičići, Podbablje, Proložac i Runovići, and the town of Imotski is EUR 5.5 million. Hrvatski Telekom will invest EUR 1.2 million, while the remaining EUR 4.3 million will be co-financed through National Recovery and Resilience Plan grants. Implementing this project will significantly improve access to digital public services such as e-Citizens, e-Schools, and e-Health. The availability of high-speed internet will also support entrepreneurship and stimulate further economic development.
The Very High Capacity Networks (VHCN) that Hrvatski Telekom will build will be open-access networks, meaning that all other operators and electronic communications service providers will have equal access to the infrastructure. Hrvatski Telekom remains fully committed to its investment plans. Infrastructure development is key to driving a new cycle of economic growth and broader societal progress. Digitalizing all parts of Croatia is a fundamental part of Hrvatski Telekom's mission.
Ivan Bartulović, Chief Human Resources and Customer Experience Officer, Hrvatski Telekom
Hrvatski Telekom is the largest private investor in Croatia's digitalization. Last year alone, we invested more than EUR 242 million, demonstrating our commitment to accelerating digital transformation and building essential infrastructure nationwide. Our vision is to connect everyone in Croatia with the opportunities of digitalization and help people improve their everyday lives. We are not focusing solely on major urban centers. We are also investing in smaller communities, and this project is a perfect example. By investing in this project, we provide fast and reliable internet access, ultimately improving local residents' quality of life. The economic impact of this investment cycle is significant, as increased internet speeds at the local level lead to the creation of new businesses, job opportunities, and more efficient public and private services.
Blaženko Boban, County Prefect, Split-Dalmatia County
We are extremely pleased with this project, as the development of broadband infrastructure is a strategic priority for Split-Dalmatia County. We see this initiative as the beginning of many benefits for the Imotski region, from economic advantages that support modern business needs and the growth of the IT sector, to the positive impact reliable internet access will have on local vacation rental owners. Most importantly, we view the implementation of this project as an additional driver of demographic revitalization, which is woven into our county's core policy of balanced development and equal living conditions — whether on the coast, the islands, or in the hinterland.
