Digital connectivity in Germany

National digital connectivity strategy and policy

Responsible authorities

• The Federal Ministry for Digitalization and Government Modernization (Bundesministerium für Digitales und Staatsmodernisierung) is responsible for the development of digital connectivity. and aims to improve the conditions for expanding fibre-optic and 5G networks and to strengthen competition.
• The Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway (Bundesnetzagentur) is responsible for implementing the regulatory framework laid down in EU and national law.
• The Federal Gigabit Bureau (Gigabitbüro des Bundes) has been designated as a national Broadband Competence Office (BCO) of Germany. It maintains contact with the broadband competence centres of the federal states.

Main aims for digital connectivity development

The overarching goal of the Gigabit Strategy, published in July 2022, is the nationwide, energy and resource-efficient supply with FTTH and the latest mobile communications technologies of all areas where people live, work and travel - even in rural areas, by 2030. Increased incentives for self-sufficient expansion and better framework conditions for subsidies are planned. As a first step, an increase in the supply with fibre optic connections to 50% of all households and companies by the end of 2025 is planned. In mobile communications, uninterrupted wireless voice and data services for all end users nationwide by 2026.

The federal Digital Strategy for Germany, launched in August 2022, aims at nationwide coverage with fibre optic connections, digitalisation of administrative services for a modern and inclusive state and innovations from business and research for the benefit of all people by 2030. The strategy foresees that by 2025 half of all households and businesses have connectivity by fibre.

Main measures for digital connectivity development

• The Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG) was amended in December 2021 and introduced the right of all citizens to the availability of voice communication services and internet access services.
• Digital connectivity mapping: as a central information point, the digital connectivity atlas shows digital connectivity penetration and availability. Furthermore, the Bundesnetzagentur has launched a nationwide infrastructure atlas to facilitate the use of synergies in infrastructure deployment. The atlas contains spatial data about the infrastructure of companies and institutions, such as geo-data about fibre optic lines, empty ducts, radio towers and masts as well as radio stations.
• With its mobile communications strategy, the Federal government has announced major plans to improve its mobile coverage. The Federal Government is working with countries and municipalities to implement a mix of different measures. This includes:
  • creating transparency regarding the actual supply situation as well as monitoring the mobile network expansion
  • identifying infrastructure and properties that the Federal Government can provide for the construction of masts
  • providing EUR 1.1 billion for the development of up to 5,000 unpowered areas
  • relieving local authorities of the implementation of the support program in order to ensure effective and cost-effective expansion
  • identifying acceleration potentials in mobile network expansion, in cooperation with countries and municipalities
• In its roadmap to implement the Connectivity Toolbox, Germany refers to assessing mobile network technologies and roll-out strategies as to their environmental impact, to a nationwide electromagnetic fields (EMF) measuring campaign, and to the new public company MIG that supports access to physical infrastructure.
• The Gigabit Strategy foresees measures that will simplify, speed up and digitise permit granting, strengthen use of alternative deployment methods, and provide more transparency and improved legal framework.

National and regional digital connectivity financial instruments

The federal states in Germany support digital connectivity development with a number of measures and financial means. Some of the current measures are:

• Federal funding programme (Förderprogramm zum Breitbandausbau): this programme supports network expansion to provide high-speed digital connectivity networks in underserved areas. The support of the federal state permits nationwide expansion of minimum 1 Gbps connections in areas that were previously underserved. The maximum amount of federal funding per project is EUR 30 million.
• Combination with other funding programmes, e.g. from the federal states, is possible and can be added to cover the remaining co-financing. An overview of ongoing and completed funding processes in different federal states (Bundesländer) can be found at Breitband-Ausschreibungen.

Other financial measures are:

• The German government-owned development bank KfW offers e.g. the loan 208 IKK to municipalities to support investments in infrastructure including digital connectivity infrastructure. Though the loan is capped at EUR 150 million annually, it can be combined with financial resources from public funding. In addition, the KfW offers targeted loans for Investment loan for digital infrastructure and Syndicated Loan Digital Infrastructure.
• The Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank also offers loans to support projects intending to establish or improve communication infrastructure including digital connectivity networks in rural areas.

Data on digital connectivity development and technologies in Germany

For the latest data on digital connectivity coverage, subscriptions and penetrations, coverage of different digital connectivity technologies check the Digital Decade country reports.

National and EU publications and press documents

English

• 5G Strategy for Germany
• Broadband Investment Handbook
• Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2022
• Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27
• Broadband Connectivity Reports, Analyses and Studies

German

• Digitalstrategie 2025 der Bundesregierung
• Digitalisierung gestalten, Umsetzungsstrategie der Bundesregierung
• Gigabitstrategie der Bundesregierung 2030
• VATM-Jahrbuch 2024, Telekommunikation und Mehrwertdienste in Deutschland
• Internet via Satellit - Technologie, Leistungsfähigkeit und Anwendungsbereiche

Contact information

BCO Germany (national Broadband Competence Office): Federal Gigabit Bureau (Gigabitbüro des Bundes)

Address: Kapelle Ufer 4, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Contact via email
Phone: +49 170 682 6254
Website

Federal Ministry for Digitalisation and Government Modernisation (Bundesministerium für Digitales und Staatsmodernisierung)

Contact via email
Website

Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway (Bundesnetzagentur)

Address: Tulpenfeld 4, 53113 Bonn, Germany
Contact via email
Phone: +49 228 14-0
Website