Current digital topics and solutions for the digital transformation will be discussed today and tomorrow at the German government’s Digital Summit 2024. Dr. Stephan Albers, Managing Director of the German Broadband Association (BREKO), explains:

“Turning the digital strategy into a ‘digital only’ strategy – that’s what Volker Wissing announced today at the Digital Summit. The Federal Digital Minister should also emphasize this: Anyone who wants ‘digital only’ must also consistently focus on ‘fiber optics only’! Only with an efficient digital infrastructure will it be possible – as announced by Mr. Wissing – to dismantle analogue parallel structures and focus entirely on digital processes.

At its digital summit, the German government now has the opportunity to set the course for the remainder of the legislative period in terms of digital policy. The focus should be on the expansion of fiber optics, as fast and future-proof networks form the basis for a digital Germany. Under no circumstances should the traffic light coalition let up on its planned projects or even leave them to a successor government. Time is of the essence: According to the latest BREKO Market Analysis 2024 forecast, the German government will fall well short of its target – nationwide fiber optic coverage by 2030 – if there is no clear political course correction.

Three issues need to be addressed now: The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport has still not presented a timetable for the creation of a concept for copper-fiber optic migration. We expect a concrete idea by the end of the year as to how the shutdown of Telekom’s old copper network can succeed in a competitive manner. We have already made a corresponding proposal.

The BMDV is playing for time when it comes to the strategic dual fiber-optic expansion and is thus protecting Telekom’s interests. As a result, Telekom can continue its strategically destructive dual fiber-optic expansion and further slow down the nationwide fiber-optic expansion for the whole of Germany. There is no alternative to effective measures to put an end to Telekom’s economically absurd behavior. Proposals for this have been on the table for many months.

In order to counteract the slowdown in fiber optic expansion that has already begun, clear signals are now needed from politicians. The planned Telecommunications Network Expansion Acceleration Act (TK NABEG) is far too unambitious in its current form and must be improved in key areas. In particular, the ‘overriding public interest’ must apply not only to mobile network expansion, but also to fiber optic expansion.”