The experts' assessment misses the reality. The report paints a rosy picture of the mobile communications world. Even if a large number of sub-brands of the three established mobile network operators, such as Aldi Talk or Congstar, give the impression: there is currently no effective competition on the German mobile market, especially in the wholesale sector!

- Ticket sales launched for the leading trade fair for fibre optic expansion - Extensive congress program with top-class panel discussions - New key topics: Sustainability, diversity & municipal expansion - Exclusive kick-off event on "Sustainability & Energy Transition" for municipal utilities the day before - media hall: Leading congress for FAST Channels & TV of the future

In the coming weeks, a decisive course will be set in Brussels for the expansion of digital infrastructure in Germany and Europe. In view of the ongoing trilogue negotiations on the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), the German Broadband Association (BREKO) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) are calling for investment-friendly framework conditions for companies that promote the construction and operation of fiber optic networks.

The pace of fiber optic expansion in Germany has never been so fast. Fiber optic availability currently stands at 35%. The main drivers are Deutsche Telekom's competitors, who are responsible for around two thirds of the expansion. The large number of these alternative network operators has led to active competition and a high level of dynamism in the supply of fiber optic connections. This is the only way to keep the German government's goal of nationwide fiber optic coverage by 2030 within sight.

In view of the critical budget situation and a gigabit funding program that has been heavily oversubscribed again this year, the digital and telecommunications associations ANGA, Bitkom, BREKO, BUGLAS and VATM are calling on the German government to limit the gigabit funding for 2024-2026 to one billion euros per year and to use the funding in a more targeted manner. This would relieve the federal budget by a total of six billion euros without fewer new connections being built. The associations are calling for a revision of the funding program that does justice to the limited construction capacities available and prevents a renewed flood of applications as well as frustration among local authorities.

The Council of the European Union today approved a negotiating mandate ("general approach") for the upcoming trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Commission on the proposed Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA). BREKO welcomes the overarching goal of the GIA to accelerate the roll-out of fiber optics and reduce roll-out costs. While some of the measures proposed by the Council offer sufficient flexibility to take into account specific requirements of the Member States, other amendments appear less suitable for accelerating the roll-out of fiber optic networks.

The German Broadband Association (BREKO) welcomed 800 representatives from business, politics, administration and science to the Estrel Berlin today for the political highlight of the year for the telecommunications industry. Federal Minister Volker Wissing praised the rapid pace of fiber optic expansion and promised to further improve the framework conditions. Industry representatives made concrete demands to reduce state subsidies, radically simplify approval procedures, prevent the strategic double expansion of the market-dominant company and make the shutdown of copper networks more competitive.

BREKO welcomes the BMDV's initiative to develop recommendations for action for sustainable fiber optic and mobile expansion together with industry and to support companies in implementing effective sustainability measures. The key points and the meta-study are an important first step towards sustainable fiber-optic and mobile expansion. Nevertheless, BREKO expects the recommendations for action that are now to be developed to include truly concrete measures in order to make the best possible use of the sustainability potential.

Comprehensive fiber optic networks form the future-proof basis for the digital transformation of the economy and society. Only through the comprehensive use of digital technologies can Germany successfully master the energy transition and thus meet its climate protection obligations. Telecommunications companies are aware of this great responsibility and want to roll out the fiber optic infrastructure nationwide as quickly as possible. To ensure that the expansion of fiber optics continues to make rapid progress, we appeal to the federal government to provide stable and investment-friendly framework conditions.

Associations call for improvements to the framework conditions for grid expansion