Government initiates speeds-up network expansion plans
Berlin, Germany – In a bid to enhance broadband and mobile connectivity nationwide, the German federal government has set forth a plan to accelerate the expansion of fiber optic and fast mobile networks. This initiative, which is currently being deliberated in the Bundestag, aims to bypass bureaucratic obstacles that have previously hindered network rollout.
The proposed legislation entails an amendment to the Telecommunications Act, granting a "general interest" status to network expansion projects in Germany. This legal alteration is expected to expedite approval processes significantly, according to the bill's justification.
Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger, speaking on the matter, expressed enthusiasm for the coalition's Union and SPD's commitment to implementing the project. "After much discussion and deliberation, it's now time to move forward with implementation," he stated, emphasizing the significance of digitalization for Germany's future.
In terms of current network coverage, as of May 2025, about 10.6 million households and businesses can subscribe to fiber plans delivering speeds up to 2Gbps, while over 37 million premises have access to plans offering up to 100Mbps. Despite these figures, industry groups argue that the nation is still lagging in achieving nationwide fiber coverage and is slowing down compared to international counterparts.
To address this, O2 Telefónica has initiated a nationwide rollout of 5G smart streetlights in the 25 largest German cities. These smart poles combine LED lighting with small 5G antennas and fiber connections, targeting densely populated urban zones to improve coverage and performance.
Nevertheless, Telekom's steady progress, such as the addition of 147,000 new fiber connections per month, does not assuage industry representatives' calls for more ambitious measures and resource allocation to avoid falling behind on the international broadband and mobile stage.
In summary, the German government seeks to streamline the process of expanding fast telecommunications networks across the country, intending to ensure widespread high-speed internet and advanced mobile connectivity. The planned amendment to the Telecommunications Act provides a strong legal foundation for expediting approval processes, while industry efforts and innovations like 5G smart streetlights work to expand coverage in major urban centers.
The German government's proposed amendment to the Telecommunications Act aims to expedite the expansion of high-speed internet and fast mobile networks, granting "general interest" status to such projects. Meanwhile, industry actors, including Telekom and O2 Telefónica, are taking proactive measures, such as the deployment of 5G smart streetlights, to address the nation's issues with achieving nationwide fiber coverage and staying competitive on the international broadband and mobile stage.
