TKG amendment to accelerate network expansion in force

The expansion of fiber optic and mobile networks is now of "overriding public interest". Following approval in the Bundestag, the amendment to the Telecommunications Act (TKG) initiated by the federal government has now come into force. This was announced by the Federal Government in Berlin on Wednesday.

Network expansion stings

The classification, which was initiated by the new Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU), is intended to accelerate the expansion of fiber optics. The "overriding public interest" enshrined in the law means that the expansion of the network is given greater weight when weighing up other interests –, for example in the case of building permits. The classification applies temporarily until the end of 2030.

The German government initiated the amendment to the law in May. After a brief debate in the Bundestag, it passed the amendment to the TKG in June. Following publication in the Federal Law Gazette on Tuesday, the law came into force on Wednesday.

Traffic light attempt fails

In its proposal for a law to accelerate the expansion of telecommunications networks (TKNaBeG), the traffic light government had already attested to the "overriding public interest" in network expansion, but wanted to place restrictions on it. This would have meant that expansion in nature conservation areas, for example, would not have been given priority. The TKNaBeG was never passed due to the failure of the coalition and the early elections.

The federal government stated that "reliable access requires fiber optic expansion in the area right into the home – as well as nationwide coverage with the latest mobile communications standard". "The amendment to the Telecommunications Act focuses on this in particular."

(vbr)