The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has reached an agreement with network operators and industry associations to roll out statewide gigabit networks by 2025 during the first GigabitSummit.NRW. Parties also agreed to connect all schools and business parks in the state to gigabit-speed networks by 2022.
Under the agreement, network operators will provide information on their construction plans for broadband networks to NRW’s Ministry of Economics to help strategically plan the deployment of subsidies, said the ministry. The agreement should thus ensure a “prudent interlocking” of commercial and subsidised projects for the broadband deployment, said NRW’s Economics Minister Andreas Pinkwart. Up to EUR 5 billion in subsidies should be made available for non-commercial infrastructure projects by the state through this deal.
The state of NRW also agreed to introduce faster and more simplified approval procedures for broadband projects and support the use of faster and more cost-effective installation methods. Network operators, the state government and industry associations will also work more closely with communal-level actors and chambers to help prioritize expansion projects in schools and business parks.
Business parks should exclusively receive fibre-optic connections under this plan, while schools and private households will have access to a mix of fibre and cable connections. NRW’s subsidies in areas where no existing gigabit networks exist should be upgraded solely with fibre networks as well, said the ministry. 86 percent of households in NRW have access to a connection with speeds of at least 50 Mbps, while 7 percent have access to a fibre connection.
VATM, the German association of telecommunications companies, said these new measures “clear and helpful” for setting transparent planning requirements and prioritizing important goals while dismantling bureaucracy.
The German fibre-network industry association Buglas likewise said it supported the state’s plans, but warned NRW’s goals could only be realized by relying on pure fibre as the basis for these networks.
