On 8 November 2018, the European Commission approved a EUR 60 (USD 68.4) million financial grant measure from Styria, Austria. The aid will support the company Steirische Breitband- und Digitalinfrastrukturgesellschaft (also known as Sbidi), a network operator for the development of high-speed broadband services in underserved areas in the state of Styria. 

In this context, the European Commission noted the: 'The construction of passive infrastructure for NGA broadband networks constitutes a service in a liberalised sector where usually is, or could be competition. The Beneficiary is active in this sector and has been granted a financial advantage by the Federal State of Styria which is liable to improve its competitive position compared to other undertakings active in this sector. The measure therefore threatens to distort competition.'.

Regardless, the Commission has decided not to raise objections to the aid on the grounds that 'it is compatible with the internal market pursuant to Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU.'.

The state aid is notified under the following objective: Broadband infrastructures.

A state act in the GTA database is assessed solely in terms of the extent to which its implementation affects foreign commercial interests. On this metric, the financial support granted here is discriminatory.