On 19 December 2023, Oliver Luksic, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, handed over nine funding decisions for the expansion of fiber optics to Saarland municipalities in Rehlingen-Siersburg. They were accepted by the mayors of the municipalities of Mettlach, Perl, Rehlingen-Siersburg, Wallerfangen, Nohfelden, Nonnweiler, Schmelz and Gersheim as well as the town of Blieskastel. The federal government is thus providing funds amounting to 27 million euros as part of Gigabit Funding 2.0 for the municipalities’ expansion projects. The Saarland is also supporting the projects and intends to make a further 13 million euros available for this purpose. The availability of fiber optic connections is a decisive location factor for Saarland. By 2030, fiber optics should be available nationwide. Gigabit coverage in Saarland currently stands at 62.91% (as of June 2023). The federal government is funding broadband expansion in Germany with a total of around 17 billion euros. In Saarland, a total of twelve broadband expansion projects are being supported with federal funds amounting to around 41.3 million euros. This will enable more than 4,000 fiber optic connections to be set up, benefiting citizens, companies, schools and hospitals.
Nine funding decisions for fiber optic expansion in Saarland handed over
