The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs is failing to achieve its self-imposed goal of adapting gigabit funding so that the number of funding applications and market exploration procedures is significantly lower than in the previous year. We are currently experiencing déjà vu here: based on the new regulation, thousands of costly funding applications are once again being submitted, which the federal government has to reject.

Today, Friday, the German Broadband Association (BREKO) celebrates its 25th anniversary. With 487 member companies, including 248 network operators, and teams in Bonn, Berlin and Brussels, the association is a strong network and the central voice for fibre optic expansion and digitalization. Today more than ever, this voice is needed to achieve the common goal: the nationwide expansion of fiber optics throughout Germany.

Whether in terms of approval procedures, dual expansion or proposed legislation: The federal states have many levers at their disposal to improve the conditions for fiber optic expansion in their municipalities. This makes it all the more important to tackle the challenges together now in this new format.

11.04.2024, Expert opinion by Andreas Neumann, Managing Director of the Institute for the Law of Network Industries, Information and Communication Technology (IRNIK), on behalf of the German Broadband Communications Association (BREKO)

With the German government's goal of a nationwide fiber optic rollout by 2030, the shutdown of the old copper networks must now also be on the political agenda. The German Broadband Association (BREKO) is therefore calling on the Federal Network Agency to develop a clear concept for the transition from copper to fiber optic networks - as an important incentive for further investment in fiber optic expansion. In addition, a rapid shutdown of the old networks would be more sustainable and economical than the parallel operation of two infrastructures.

The Federal Network Agency has given Telekom a disastrous report card. However, instead of drawing the right conclusions from the facts available to it, the authority is exercising restraint - as apparently desired by the German government - and continuing to play for time. This reinforces the suspicion that the interests of Deutsche Telekom are being deliberately protected here.

The European Local Fibre Alliance (ELFA) shares the European Union's ambition to bring fibre to all European households and businesses by 2030. Only fibre connectivity provides true gigabit speeds with the lowest possible latency and energy consumption, laying the foundation for a digital and sustainable Europe. ELFA supports the EU's recent policy initiatives as they provide better incentives for faster roll-out of fiber including reducing the risk of anti-competitive overbuild. ELFA also welcomes the European Commission's white paper for a Digital Networks Act as it would call for implementing copper switch-off in the foreseeable future in a fair manner which avoids distortions of competition. However, it is calling for definite actions to deliver this, as Europe's future depends on fiber networks.

The report by WIK-Consult and EY on behalf of the Federal Network Agency on the competitive situation in the mobile communications market has considerable shortcomings. It is therefore not suitable for making valid statements about competition in mobile telephony. These are the findings of a report published today by experts Prof. Dr. Ralf Dewenter (Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg) and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Gordon J. Klein (University of Münster) on behalf of the German Broadband Association (BREKO).