Berlin, 07.12.2022 One year after its inauguration, the German government will meet with representatives from business, science and society on Thursday and Friday for the Digital Summit 2022. On this occasion, the German Broadband Association (BREKO) will take stock of digital policy after one year of a traffic light government.

Despite the ‘turnaround’ that needs to be mastered, many things were initiated in the first year of the traffic light government for the expansion of future-proof digital infrastructures. In its second year in office, the federal government must work together with the federal states and local authorities to ensure that the measures initiated also reach citizens by sustainably accelerating the expansion of fiber optics. The federal government must make 2023 the year of implementation. However, the federal states and local authorities also have a duty to take measures to further increase the pace of expansion.

The SPD, Greens and FDP have made a good start in terms of fiber optic expansion: The coalition agreement contains many good ideas and measures and the significantly expanded competencies of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) in the area of digitalization and digital infrastructures were an important step towards an efficient distribution of tasks, even though many digital responsibilities are still distributed among other ministries. There is still a long way to go to create a genuine digital ministry.

The gigabit strategy published in mid-July, with its almost 100 specific measures, was a key milestone in the Ampel’s digital policy alongside the digital strategy. However, the success or failure of the strategy depends on its implementation. The ambitious targets for fiber optic expansion can only be achieved if the expansion conditions for companies are improved. Unfortunately, the paper lacked the biggest lever for accelerating the expansion of fibre optics: a clear prioritization of public funding to areas that really need it.

The BREKO Market Analysis 2022 has shown that, despite adverse geopolitical circumstances and high inflation, the roll-out of fiber optic networks on a commercial basis continues to boom. The German government should support this strong market momentum with targeted measures in order to achieve the expansion targets and minimize risks for further expansion. This includes using public funding in a targeted and well-dosed manner so that it does not hinder private-sector expansion. The fact that the “natural prioritization” announced by the federal states does not work in practice was impressively demonstrated by the exhaustion of the funding budget planned for 2022 in mid-October. The BMDV now has a duty to prioritize funding in favour of municipalities with particularly poor coverage and to ensure a sensible dovetailing of self-funded and subsidized expansion on the basis of the potential analysis currently being carried out. Otherwise, a renewed discussion about empty funding pots would be inevitable by summer 2023 at the latest.

Another major political construction site is the approval process for fiber optic expansion. Simplifying and digitizing the application process has considerable potential to speed up the expansion as a whole. The broadband portal developed by the states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate as part of the Online Access Act is an important tool for this. However, it is crucial for the success of the portal that it is used as quickly as possible in all federal states and municipalities. Unfortunately, we are currently observing that many local authorities are still hesitant to act and need support from the federal and state governments for implementation.

Another important step towards faster fibre optic expansion is the standardization of modern laying methods, which can save a lot of time and money compared to open trench construction. Here too, however, it is crucial that the responsible local authorities comply with the upcoming DIN 18220 standard to make it easier for fiber optic installation companies to use trenching, milling and ploughing methods.

In the “fair share” debate on cost sharing by big tech companies in grid expansion, which has been conducted at European level in particular, the German government has so far failed to take a clear position. We expect a constructive and open-ended debate with all parties involved. “Fair share” contributions can further strengthen the existing expansion momentum and contribute to the security and sustainability of the grids. However, it is crucial in the implementation that fair competition in the telecommunications market is ensured. Payments must benefit all companies expanding fiber optic networks and safeguard net neutrality. Negotiated solutions such as those proposed by the ‘big telcos’ would lead to distortions of competition and should therefore be rejected.