Fiber optic expansion continued to progress throughout Germany in August. This is exemplified by the 54 decisions handed over, 26 ground-breaking ceremonies and four start-ups as part of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure’s (BMVI) broadband funding program.
These 84 expansion projects alone will provide more than 100,000 previously underserved connections with gigabit bandwidths once all construction measures have been completed, including more than 83,000 households, around 13,800 companies and 860 institutions, including 815 schools. The BMVI is supporting these expansion projects with around 426 million euros from federal broadband funding.
With this funding as well as supplementary state funding programs and the municipal contribution, the BMVI, the states and the municipalities are jointly creating the basis for nationwide and future-proof broadband coverage and thus paving the way for the gigabit society.
The sustainability aspects of broadband expansion are becoming increasingly important: the declared aim of federal broadband funding is the effective, technology-neutral and nationwide expansion of a future-proof, high-performance and sustainable gigabit network.
However, this does not only mean ensuring that the environment and nature are protected during expansion and that existing infrastructures are also used: for example, with gentle flush drilling methods or above-ground fiber optic laying.
Another goal is particularly relevant here: network expansion should also open up innovative connection points that serve the common good. These are places where the digital merges with the physical and helps to make agriculture, transportation, environmental protection and mobility, for example, more efficient, sustainable and powerful.
These include current research projects such as the PraxisLabor Digitaler Ackerbau in the district, in which smart farming projects are being tested, the connection of a testing center of the Federal Plant Variety Office in Scharnhorst, which facilitates its work, or the fiber optic connection of a sieving/scooping plant in North Friesland, which makes an important contribution to coastal and environmental protection and provides a preventive warning system against flooding.
In this way, broadband expansion not only creates the basis for future-oriented applications, but also contributes to a more sustainable economy and life – every month anew.