On the second and final day of Connected Germany 2023, the trade fair once again inspired visitors with exciting presentations, panel discussions and a lively exchange between industry experts and decision-makers. After the opening by Jan Simons, Head of Local and Regional Politics at BREKO, the diverse specialist program began, in which our experts were once again involved.

Claire Piqueret Rose, Team Leader for Smart Cities & Regions at aconium, took part in the discussion on the topic of “Smart Regions”. Together with Christian Maasem from Hyperconnectivity, she presented use cases for smart infrastructure and services. She emphasized that smart cities and regions cannot be realized through a single key technology. Rather, an interplay of different data-based solutions is necessary that generate and share data in order to connect different areas within the municipalities – infrastructure, transport, public utility applications, etc. – with one another. The digital infrastructure plays a special role here. Using use cases from the TwinBy program, Ms. Piqueret Rose explains how low-threshold measures can be used to create digital twins that can be used to manage floods and heat islands and to maintain green spaces, among other things. Her advice to local authorities: start with targeted, low-threshold measures and gradually expand the measures – this can also be achieved in rural areas through cooperation and knowledge transfer.

“Mobile coverage is a public service.” The opening words for the panel discussion on “Wireless Infrastructure” underline the demand of many citizens to have reception and access to the Internet with their cell phones anytime and anywhere. Together with Torben Klose, Hessian Ministry for Digitalization and Innovation, and Raafat Dabboura, Managing Director, Phoenix Tower International Germany, Andreas Schröder, Team Leader Mobile Communications at aconium, gave an insight into the current state of mobile coverage in Germany. In total, 99.9% of households are covered by LTE and 99% of households are covered by 5G, while 97% and 93% are achieved in the area. Despite the impressive coverage, there are still some “white spots” due to topographical challenges. However, the panellists were confident that these gaps could also be closed in the near future to ensure comprehensive network coverage.

Conclusion of the two-day trade fair: The path to connected cities and regions is a process that needs to be planned for the long term and continuously optimized. Connected Germany 2023 showed that collaboration and knowledge sharing between various stakeholders – from public institutions to technology experts and companies – are crucial to establishing comprehensive digital connectivity.

The exchange at the trade fair also showed that the development of digital networking goes beyond technological solutions: a holistic approach that integrates infrastructure, data expertise and civic engagement is the prerequisite for sustainable added value for everyone.

 

05.11.2024

Understanding the investment landscape in Germany

11:35-12:10 a.m. / Track: Gigabit Germany
Speaker: Kai Pigorsch – Managing Director (former) aconium GmbH

E-government: services for citizens from the national to the local level

12:05-12:30 / Track: Digital Germany
Speaker: Philipp Brückner – Head of Landesservices aconium GmbH

Rural networking

15:20-16:00 / Track: Gigabit Germany
Speaker: Ulf Freienstein, Deputy Head of PT aconium GmbH

06.11.2024

Intelligent regions

11:35-12:15 a.m. / Track: Smart Germany
Speaker: Claire Piqueret Rose – Team Leader Smart Cities & Regions aconium GmbH

Wireless infrastructure

13:50-14:30 / Track: Gigabit Germany
Speaker: Andreas Schröder – Team Leader Mobile Communications aconium GmbH