The German government received European Commission approval to significantly boost its fibre network funding from €12 billion to €38 billion. This initiative aims to accelerate the rollout of fibre infrastructure across Germany and extend the existing state aid scheme until the end of 2028. The increased funding will allow local authorities to either deploy their own fibre networks or outsource both deployment and operation.
Areas eligible for funding are those with single-network access providing speeds up to 300 Mbps, where upgrading to gigabit-capable speeds isn’t in current investment plans. This expanded budget is expected to bolster Germany’s push towards widespread fibre adoption, addressing a long-standing lag in fibre penetration compared to other European nations.
Responding swiftly to this approval, the German government introduced the TK Network Expansion Acceleration Act (TK-NABEG) the next day. The law targets bureaucratic obstacles that slow down network deployment. By defining telecom infrastructure rollout as “in the overriding public interest,” the Act streamlines and accelerates “right of way” approvals.
“With this law, we are accelerating the urgently needed expansion of our digital infrastructure. In doing so, we are sending an important signal to the economy that we are determined to drive forward digitalization,” stated Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport. He added, “This will strengthen network expansion, create better planning and give companies legal certainty. Together with simplified procedures and more precise information in the Gigabit land register, we are laying an important foundation for providing Germany with fibre optics and the latest mobile communications standards across the board by 2030.”
Germany has struggled to keep up with fibre rollout targets, impacting economic growth. The country aims for 50% fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) coverage by the end of 2025, in line with the European Union’s goal of 100% FTTP connection by 2030. As of the end of 2023, 17.9 million homes had been passed, with an ambitious target still ahead, given Germany’s 43 million homes.
This funding boost and regulatory reform arrive at a crucial time. Germany’s fibre infrastructure is crucial for future economic competitiveness and digital transformation. Telecom professionals and enthusiasts can delve deeper into these advancements at the upcoming Connected Germany conference in Munich, a key platform for discussing connectivity challenges and innovations.
