Delivering connectivity and ai-driven solutions to rural regions across and outside Europe

The Horizon Europe project COMMECT, coordinated by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), has successfully bridged connectivity gaps in some of the most remote areas across and outside Europe. Over the past three years, this initiative not only demonstrated how reliable networks enable promising digital solutions but also developed a unique AI-based Decision Support Tool, selected by the European Commission Innovation Radar initiative, which helps identify the best connectivity solutions for rural contexts.

Broadband access has become essential for daily life, yet 13% of Europe’s population, mostly in rural and remote areas, still lacks reliable coverage. COMMECT tackled this challenge by integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks with low-cost IoT solutions, supported by edge computing and network automation. Once networks were in place, digital tools - from precision agriculture to smart forestry - proved both feasible and impactful through five Living Labs spread across and outside Europe.

Five Living Labs, five concrete solutions

Each Living Lab successfully demonstrated how connectivity can deliver tangible benefits for end-users:

• Luxembourg – Digitalizing vineyards: Connected sensors and weather stations were installed to support precision spraying, reduce pesticide use and improve vineyard management. In parallel, a Digital Twin combining satellite, UAVs, IoT data and machine learning enabled disease detection, yield prediction and plant health monitoring. Both approaches confirmed the value of digital tools when paired with reliable connectivity, sparking strong interest among vineyard owners and discussions with authorities on scaling them up.
   
• Norway – Connected forestry: A private 5G network enabled drone-based mapping and real-time monitoring in remote forests, improving safety and operational efficiency.
   
• Denmark – Livestock transport monitoring: Sensors, cameras, AI-based image processing and satellite connectivity on trucks allowed continuous monitoring of pig transport, enhancing traceability and animal welfare.
   
• Türkiye – Smart olive tree farming: Connected sensors and cameras, combined with predictive models helped farmers reduce pesticide use and costs, protecting yields while lowering environmental impacts.
   
• Serbia – Sustainable agriculture and biodiversity: Connectivity enabled digital tools that support land management while preserving biodiversity, balancing productivity with environmental stewardship.

AI-powered digital agronomy assistant for rural digitalization

The Decision Support Tool (DST) developed by COMMECT is based on a Large Language Model (LLM) trained with data collected across several Living Labs. By integrating information on connectivity, business models, environmental conditions and socio-economic impacts, the tool provides tailored advice to policymakers, businesses and communities on the most suitable connectivity solutions.

Built directly on project outcomes, the DST was selected by the European Commission as a finalist for the 2024 Innovation Radar Prize in the Next-Gen Tech category. This highlights its potential for commercialization as a multi-modal, AI-driven, agronomy advisor delivering localized, traceable, and conversational support to end-users.  

“COMMECT has shown that digitalization is not just about technology, it is about making connectivity accessible, reliable and tailored to end-user needs,” says Maria Rita Palattella, researcher at LIST and project coordinator. “The pilots deployed within the Living Labs proved that these solutions are feasible, scalable and capable of delivering real benefits for rural communities.”

About COMMECT

COMMECT (Bridging the digital divide and addressing the need of Rural Communities with Cost-effective and Environmental-Friendly Connectivity Solution) is a Horizon Europe project (Grant Agreement No. 101060881) coordinated by LIST and involving 18 partners from Europe and beyond. The project ran from 2022 to 2025. More information: https://www.horizoneurope-commect.eu/