Manica, LuísDamásio, BrunoMendonça, Sandro2025-09-222025-09-222025-101555-5623PURE: 128745712PURE UUID: 65c9da47-5d80-4ece-bb46-0f51e834f6aeScopus: 105016195426WOS: 001605988000009http://hdl.handle.net/10362/188424Manica, L., Damásio, B., & Mendonça, S. (2025). Institutional Legacies and Governance Models: A Comparative Study of Broadband State Aid in Europe. Politics & Policy, 53(5), Article e70069. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.70069 --- This work was supported by national funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), under the project—UIDB/04152/2020 and UID/GES/00315/2013—Centro de Investigação em Gestão de Informação (MagIC/NOVA IMS) (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04152/2020). BRU-IUL and REM/UECE are financially supported by FCT.This article explores how historical legacies and institutional configurations impact the governance models used in implementing State aid policies for broadband in France, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The analysis is based on historical institutionalism, focusing on path dependence, critical junctures, and gradual institutional change. A comparative historical approach shows different governance models evolving due to administrative traditions and political factors. France and the United Kingdom have evolved toward decentralized models, which capitalize on institutional flexibility and strategic reforms. Conversely, Portugal and Spain face limitations from centralized structures and institutional inertia. This study elucidates the relationship between institutional structures and policy outcomes, providing policymakers with insights for addressing digital access disparities. These findings contribute to the public administration literature, emphasizing the role of timing, sequencing, and coordination in the design of effective governance frameworks and preparing for emerging challenges (such as 5G deployment) where State aid will be needed.17455406engbroadbanddigital divideEuropeFrancegovernanceinfrastructure policyPortugalSpainState aidUnited KingdomAyuda estatalbanda anchabrecha digitalEspañaEuropaFranciagobernanzapolítica de infraestructuraReino Unido宽带数字鸿沟欧洲法国治理基础设施政策葡萄牙西班牙国家援助英国Sociology and Political SciencePolitical Science and International Relationsjournal article10.1111/polp.70069https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105016195426https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001605988000009