Berlin, 26.07.24 – The federal government decided today to reduce the funds for gigabit funding in 2024 from the originally planned three billion euros to two billion euros and to one billion euros in 2025. Sven Knapp, Head of the Capital Office of the German Broadband Association (BREKO), explains:

“Reducing the funds for gigabit funding is understandable given the tight budget situation. The good news is that this will not be to the detriment of fiber optic expansion, on the contrary. In fact, we expect faster fiber optic expansion, as there could be less funding for areas in which a significantly faster, self-sufficient expansion would be possible. However, the adjustment makes it all the more important to use the available funding in a targeted manner in areas where internet coverage is particularly poor and expansion is not possible without funding. Gigabit funding must now also be designed in such a way that hopeless applications for funding are not submitted in the first place – thus avoiding unnecessary expense for local authorities and companies.”