The German Broadband Association (BREKO) comments on the digital strategy published today by the German government:

“The German government’s digital strategy addresses many important aspects of digitalization, including the importance of digital infrastructures and technologies for achieving the federal government’s goals in the areas of sustainability, environmental and climate protection. However, the impact of the strategy will be limited, as the problems and solutions mentioned in it are largely known – the only thing lacking so far is implementation.

The implementation deficit is particularly evident in the expansion of fibre optics: telecommunications companies would like to expand even faster, but have not yet been able to fully exploit their potential due to insufficiently digitalized application and approval procedures and an acute shortage of skilled workers. However, the very ambitious goals of increasing the supply of fiber optic connections to 50% of all households and companies by the end of 2025 and a nationwide fiber optic supply by 2030 can only be achieved under optimal framework conditions.

It remains questionable whether the measures envisaged in the digital strategy can actually ensure comprehensive digitalization of the administration. The considerable implementation deficit is also evident here: the digitalization of approval procedures, which are essential for the expansion of fibre optics, is progressing very slowly beyond the pilot projects currently underway in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. In order to achieve the goal of the ‘digital state’ as quickly as possible, the federal government should provide financial support to the federal states and local authorities, although this would require an amendment to the Basic Law.

The federal government’s gigabit strategy, which was published in mid-July, does specify the digital strategy in the area of digital infrastructures. However, the measures contained therein must now be designed in such a way that the expansion of fiber optics is effectively accelerated. In particular, gigabit funding must be focused on areas that really need it so as not to jeopardize the high willingness of private players to invest in their own fiber optic expansion. In addition, against the backdrop of the current challenges in connection with the effects of the war in Ukraine, the German government cannot afford to waste taxpayers’ money.”