Associations call for improvements to the framework conditions for grid expansion

Gigabit Symposium of ANGA, Bitkom, BREKO, BUGLAS, eco and VATM takes stock today with politics and business after two years of federal government – Important course-setting at EU level

Berlin, 14.11.2023 – At the halfway point of the legislative period, important decisions are pending for the telecommunications sector in Germany. With its gigabit strategy, the German government published a comprehensive package of measures last year. In addition, new impetus for the expansion of fiber optics and mobile communications is to come from the EU level. At today’s Gigabit Symposium of the telecommunications and IT associations ANGA, Bitkom, BREKO, BUGLAS, eco and VATM in Berlin, the main focus is on the question of what impact these political plans will have on the market situation and the pace of expansion.The associations are calling for an improvement in the political and regulatory framework conditions. This is the only way to achieve the German government’s very ambitious goal of a nationwide expansion of fiber optic networks and the latest mobile communications standard by 2030.

“The industry is doing everything it can to drive forward its own expansion. But the hurdles have even increased in some cases. One aspect remains the hesitant demand for fiber optic connections among the population. In this phase, politicians must under no circumstances create new obstacles,” emphasizes ANGA President Thomas Braun. In addition, the expansion must be refinanceable for companies. “Especially in the residential sector, politicians must take countermeasures and find solutions together with the industry if they are serious about the FTTH target for 2030,” demands Braun.

Open access also plays a very important role in the successful expansion of fiber optics in Germany. How do we bring the heterogeneous German telecommunications market together in the interests of nationwide fiber optic expansion? “Open access is indispensable. However, it needs a level playing field for mutual network access,” emphasizes BUGLAS President Theo Weirich: “To achieve this, all parties involved must jump over their shadows and overcome personal pain thresholds. Existing barriers to mutual use and access must finally be overcome.”

EU regulations also have a decisive influence on the telecommunications market. “In Brussels, framework conditions must be created that support the expansion of fiber optics and do not slow it down – also in Germany with its individual market characteristics, which must be taken into account,” appeals BREKO Vice President Karsten Kluge. “The current expansion momentum should not be hampered either by the considerations within the framework of the Digital Networks Act or by the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, which is currently still being negotiated. That is why the Commission must take up the positive impetus from the European Council in the upcoming trilogue negotiations on the GIA in order to remove the brakes on expansion in the original draft.”

VATM President David Zimmer is also certain: “Europe will only achieve the goals of the ‘Digital Decade’ if the special features of the national telecommunications markets are taken into account. This includes active products such as Bitstream in the German market.” He added: “For the rapid expansion of fibre optics as part of the GIA, approval fictions, digitization of administrative files and the shortening of procedural deadlines must be implemented as quickly as possible, and consumer protection regulations, cyber security and resilience requirements must be considered in line with the digital transformation. As the telecommunications industry, we look forward to an active dialog with the EU.”

In addition to the topics of network expansion, the industry is also discussing the regulation of content. With regard to the Digital Services Act (DSA), Susanne Dehmel, member of the Bitkom Executive Board, emphasizes: “The DSA strengthens the protection of consumers in the digital world and creates an EU-wide, harmonized legal framework. False information is spreading rapidly on the internet, and online platforms are a particular focus here, and not just since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Germany must now quickly introduce the Digital Services Act in order to implement the DSA and adapt existing law. It is important that the Federal Network Agency is given sufficient powers in its role as Digital Services Coordinator.”

Another important topic at the Gigabit Symposium will be sustainability. “If we want to create more sustainability and at the same time maintain Germany’s competitiveness, the German government must massively drive forward the nationwide expansion of gigabit-capable networks,” appeals eco CEO Klaus Landefeld. This can only be achieved through a combination of self-economic expansion and state funding. “In the same way, a digital ecosystem consisting of high-performance fiber optic networks, the latest generation of mobile networks and energy-efficient data centers is the foundation for achieving the climate targets. To this end, the traffic light must also accelerate the expansion of renewable energies,” says Landefeld.