Bonn/Berlin, 15.04.2021 Together with the associations BITMi, BVMW and eco, the Federal Association for Broadband Communication (BREKO) is supporting the “Deutschland kann digital” initiative. The aim of the campaign is to strengthen the German digital economy and make the digital achievements of the coronavirus crisis visible. At a virtual discussion round yesterday, representatives from the industry and politics talked about how Germany can catch up in terms of broadband coverage.

“Deutschland kann digital!” is an initiative of German digital and SME associations. The aim of the strong alliance of associations comprising the Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand e.V. (BITMi), Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft (BVMW), Verband der Internetwirtschaft (eco) and BREKO is to promote digitalization in Germany through positive impetus and examples.

With its 380 member companies, including more than 220 fiber optic network operators, BREKO is supporting the campaign, especially in the area of digital infrastructure, which is a central topic of digital policy in the 2021 election year. In the first online discussion of Deutschland kann digital!, Sven Knapp, Head of BREKO’s capital city office, made it clear that the mistakes of the past must be put behind us when it comes to digital infrastructure and constructive approaches to accelerate the expansion of fibre optics must be pursued: “The rapid expansion of the fibre optic infrastructure is an important prerequisite for making the best possible use of the potential of digitization. Even if we have not yet reached where we want to be in terms of fiber optic expansion – looking back will not take us forward.” Germany is better than its reputation when it comes to expanding its digital infrastructure, as current market developments show:

As of mid-2020, the fiber optic penetration rate measured in households and companies is around 15%. This corresponds to an increase of 14% compared to the end of 2019 – despite pandemic-related restrictions. Even if Germany has not yet reached an internationally competitive level, the growth in available connections is rising sharply.
The existing (underground) construction capacities are currently being fully utilized in numerous expansion projects in all regions of Germany and the fiber optic expansion is being driven forward with all available resources.
The willingness of companies to invest is enormous. The companies BBV, Deutsche Giganetz, Deutsche Glasfaser, Glasfaser Nordwest, TeleColumbus and Unsere Grüne Glasfaser alone will invest almost EUR 20 billion in the expansion of fiber optics in Germany over the next few years. In addition, many other telecommunications companies are also investing.
It is important that the expansion of the digital infrastructure also receives maximum legislative support. “The new Telecommunications Act, which is on the home straight in the Bundestag and is due to be passed there next week, must be a genuine fiber optic expansion acceleration law. After all, it is very likely to be the last major legislative project for the expansion of digital infrastructure,” explained Sven Knapp at the event. In order to create incentives for the expansion of fibre optics in apartment buildings, BREKO had made a proposal during the legislative process to modernize the apportionability of the broadband connection, which met with broad approval in the political arena. At the “Deutschland kann digital!” event, Sven Knapp appealed to the representatives of the Bundestag to maintain the focus on fiber optic networks to buildings and homes and not to provide protection for other, long-depreciated networks that have merely been technically upgraded in recent years: “If these networks were protected with transition periods of two or even more years, the incentive effect for fiber optic expansion would only take effect after the transition period has expired.”

More about the campaign at www.deutschlandkanndigital.de