On Wednesday, November 9, 2016, the Act to Facilitate the Expansion of Digital High-Speed Networks (DigiNetz Act) was published in the 52nd edition of the Federal Law Gazette. It came into force today. This concludes the legislative process after almost 2.5 years.
The law stipulates that fiber optic cables must now be laid at every construction site along traffic routes. This means that the unmet needs of broadband expansion can be covered. The laying of fiber optic cables must also be guaranteed when developing new construction areas. The DigiNetz Act thus rounds off the market-driven expansion and the promotion of regions not yet covered by broadband. It also creates the conditions for the available opportunities for exploiting synergies in broadband expansion to be exploited much better than before. These measures will be coordinated via a central information point and a national dispute resolution body at the Federal Network Agency.
When the DigiNetz Act comes into force, the European Cost Reduction Directive (Directive 2014/61/EU) will also be transposed into national law. The Federal Government is thus creating the decisive prerequisites for comprehensive participation in the opportunities of digitalization in Germany. Consumers, companies and institutions, the state and society as a whole can thus benefit from the legislation.
Further information on the DiGiNetz Act can be found here.