Rhineland-Palatinate: Broadband portal now available for municipalities

In order to significantly accelerate the expansion of fibre optics in Germany, the states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate have implemented a joint project to digitalize the application and approval process for broadband expansion as part of the implementation of the Online Access Act (OZG).

Section 127 (1) of the German Telecommunications Act (TKG) stipulates that when laying cables on public roads, it must be ensured that traffic is not impaired and that the telecommunications lines are adequately protected against damage. For this reason, it is a legal requirement that approval must be obtained from the relevant local authority for every cable installation.

At the end of 2022, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate has now created the conditions to make the broadband portal available for use by all municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate. This means that another milestone has now been reached on the way to a standardized nationwide application platform in order to significantly advance the pace of broadband expansion across the country.

In the broadband portal, telecommunications companies can apply for the approvals required for broadband expansion without any media discontinuity. The approval procedure by the responsible municipality is carried out in a fast and standardized process. The broadband portal also facilitates direct communication between the applying telecommunications company and the administration. For example, information can be provided at an early stage about obstacles to expansion, such as pending special uses or aspects of monument, landscape or nature conservation.

The broadband portal is one of the first administrative services to be made available nationwide as part of the implementation of the OZG. In addition to the states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, which are leading the project, nine other states have already signed a declaration of intent for subsequent use.

More information on the broadband portal can be found on the central website www.breitband-portal.de.