The broadband expansion in the district of Neuwied continues to progress successfully. On May 16, the network of the third and fourth construction phase was officially put into operation in Dattenberg and Vettelschoß with representatives from the district, the municipality and the telecommunications company carrying out the work. The starting signal was given by the 1st district councillor Michael Mahlert, as the new responsible department head, by pressing the red button.
Mayor Hans-Günter Fischer (Linz municipality), Mayor Gerhard Hausen (town of Unkel) and Mayor Michael Christ (Asbach municipality) were delighted that the residents of their municipalities can now use the modern digital infrastructure. According to 1st District Councillor Michael Mahlert, the infrastructure project creates the conditions for citizens to participate in the opportunities offered by the global network. “Fast internet connections are essential for life and work today,” he said, adding: “We are strengthening the local economy in this way.”
In April 2017, the district of Neuwied heralded the start of the district’s largest project to date with a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony for the broadband expansion. Four of eight construction phases have now been completed. As part of the federal broadband funding program of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure(BMVI), the district is receiving federal funding of 5.6 million euros for the broadband expansion.
The district is also financing the infrastructure project with 1.1 million euros of its own funds and is receiving 4.4 million euros from other funding programs. In total, more than 10,000 households and over 2,000 companies are to be connected to the high-speed network as part of the subsidized broadband expansion. In the expanded areas of the Linz and Asbach municipalities and the town of Unkel, 8,800 households are now connected to the high-speed network. As part of the funded expansion project, 166 kilometers of civil engineering work will be carried out in the district and empty conduits will be laid along the entire length.
Photo above: Mayor Michael Christ (l., Asbach municipality), Mayor Hans-Günter Fischer (3rd from l., Linz municipality), Manfred Rasbach (4th from l., broadband project coordinator at Neuwied district), Lisa Schubert (Neuwied district), Michael Mahlert (4th from r., 1st district councillor), Mayor Gerhard Hausen (2nd from l., City of Unkel) with representatives of the telecommunications company carrying out the work on 16.05.2018 in Vettelschoß for the commissioning of expansion area 4.
Photo below l-r: Michael Mahlert (1st district councillor), Winfried Moser from the telecommunications company carrying out the work and Mayor Hans-Günter Fischer (Linz municipality) at a new distribution box in expansion area 4 on 16.05.2018 in Vettelschoß.
Photo credits: private