Telecommunications Sector Urges Government to Accelerate Fiber Optic Expansion

The telecommunications industry is pressing the government and the Digital Ministers' Conference to expedite the resolution of obstacles hindering the fiber optic expansion in Germany.

Industry leaders emphasize that fast and reliable networks are essential for the digitalization of society, the economy, and public administration, which in turn affects Germany's international competitiveness. The call for urgency comes as various measures critical for digital advancement remain stagnant on the agenda of the Digital Ministers' Conference.

At the forefront is the Telecommunications Network Expansion Acceleration Act (TK-NABEG), currently in the legislative process, aimed at establishing fiber optic expansion as an issue of significant public interest. Many telecommunications companies anticipate that this will lead to faster approval processes. The current situation requires companies to engage with up to 20 different authorities to obtain construction permits, primarily using outdated analog methods.

To streamline procedures, closer collaboration between telecommunications providers and local governments is necessary. Initiatives such as the newly established Municipal Council are being formed, where multiple providers, along with leading associations, can present unified positions to policymakers.

This collaboration aims to promote the newly created DIN 18220 standard, which outlines alternative methods for laying fiber optic cables. However, these innovative practices are not yet universally accepted by all municipal offices, which still rely on traditional trenching methods that are time-consuming and costly.

Industry representatives are advocating for an automatic approval process for alternative installation methods that comply with the new standards, alongside the establishment of maximum processing times for applications.

Another critical issue raised by the telecommunications sector is the strategic duplication of fiber networks, where one provider builds over the infrastructure of a competitor to undermine them. Since July 2023, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has been collecting reports from telecommunications companies regarding this practice.

Industry leaders argue that the agency should have already initiated abuse proceedings under Paragraph 50 of the Telecommunications Act, as the current approach of merely collecting data without pursuing legal measures is seen as inadequate.

To ensure a competitive landscape, both the Federal Association of Broadband Communication (Breko) and the VATM (Association of Telecommunications and Value-Added Service Providers) are calling for a comprehensive plan for transitioning from copper to fiber optic networks. This includes clarifying how infrastructure upgrades will occur in regions where a competitor has established a fiber network.

While the telecommunications sector welcomes the active involvement of the government and the Digital Ministers' Conference, it urges caution regarding broadband funding. Industry leaders advocate for a balanced approach to funding that does not overwhelm the market, thereby maintaining incentives for private fiber optic expansion and preventing an increase in construction costs.