In this contribution we argue the importance of an ubiquitous high speed broadband infrastructure in Europe based on an analysis of subsequent technological revolutions, each characterized by a specific core infrastructure which enables the broad deployment of innovations, which in turn leads to a structural improvement in productivity.To reap the full benefits of the current ICT-driven technological revolution adaptation of the institutional environment is essential, as overtime rules and regulations have been optimized for the previous techno-economic paradigm. A fundamental adaption has been the liberalization of the sector in the late 1990s. This enabled the deployment of Pan-European optical backbone networks. We argue the importance of infrastructure-based competition in the development of broadband access networks, but also recognize the limits of the market-driven model. Hence, we emphasize the important role of governments where and when commercial models fail to supply broadband. Here, research has shown a large diversity in alternative approaches and bottom-up solutions across Europe, based on initiatives by municipalities, non-telco entrepreneurs, cooperatives and communities of users. In closing the broadband gap we recommend these initiatives to be leveraged and facilitated by national, regional and local governments.Next to ubiquitous coverage and affordable broadband, a high degree of usage is critical. This leads to the importance of the other Pillars of the Digital Agenda for Europe on digital literacy, skills and a safe and secure Internet. Research also suggests that the economic benefits will only materialize if investments in ICT hardware and software are complemented with investment in human capital, i.e. in skills development, and the reconceptualization of the business models and business processes. Early examples are the change from ‘print distribute’ to ‘distribute print’ and the disintermediation of the ‘middle man’. More recent examples are Airbnb, Uber and Snappcar.An investigation into Internet usage, in particular the average peak rates which are indicative for the broadband capacity available to end-users, suggests that leading countries in Europe are at par with leading states in the USA, while there is still a gap with South Korea and Japan. South Korea and Japan benefit from a higher starting point enabled by the broad deployment of fibre. Nonetheless, if the leading countries in Europe keep up the current growth rate of 30% demonstrated over the past 8 years the gap with South Korea will be closed by 2020. Hence, policy focus should be on keeping the momentum in the leading countries and on closing the gap by the other countries in Europe.While legacy copper networks have been crucial for providing the early broad access to the Internet, increasingly higher data rates require increasing use of fibre. Medium and large business users have already the opportunity to be connected by fibre. For residential users this will in the short term likely be in the form of upgrades from fibre to the cabinet to fibre to the distribution point/last amplifier and fibre to the basement, with full fibre deployment in greenfield situations. On the longer term this will have to be all fibre deployments to all users to accommodate the projected growth towards Gigabit data rates in 2025.