Lower Saxony: Lightning-fast expansion of internet and mobile communications by 2030!

Lower Saxony: Lightning-fast expansion of internet and mobile communications by 2030!

Lower Saxony has big plans for the digital future. As the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung reports, the construction of radio masts and fiber optic networks in Lower Saxony is to be accelerated. The initiative aims to close dead spots and raise internet connections for all households to a gigabit-capable level - by 2030. Economics Minister Grant Hendrik Tonne emphasizes the urgency of increasing mobile phone coverage to 99.5 percent.

The approval of the other federal states in the Bundesrat is expected on Friday. This will further advance the project that was already initiated in the Bundestag with an amendment to the Telecommunications Act. This legal change is intended to enable network expansion to take priority over other interests, such as monument protection or environmental protection. However, in order not to disadvantage residents, important considerations will continue to be taken into account.

Increasing network quality

Lower Saxony is currently ahead in a nationwide comparison with mobile phone coverage of 98.8 percent with 4G and 96.3 percent with 5G. However, to achieve the targeted 99.5 percent coverage, numerous new cell towers are required. There are large supply gaps, particularly in rural regions such as the Lüneburg Heath and the western Leinebergland, which are made more difficult by the complicated topography. The legally defined importance of telecommunications expansion as an overriding public interest should also apply here.

In terms of fiber optic expansion, Lower Saxony takes a respectable second place among the regional states. Around two thirds of households now have access to fiber optics - for comparison: the national average is 40 percent. In order to further promote expansion, Lower Saxony has already implemented measures to reduce bureaucracy, such as abolishing building permits for cell phone masts. However, challenges remain: according to an analysis by PwC Progress in fiber optic expansion in Germany is progressing slowly.

Challenges in fiber optic expansion

To put it simply, there are many problems. The analysis shows that complex approval procedures, a lack of skilled workers and high costs are among the main reasons why fiber optic expansion is stalling. Currently, 43 percent of households in Germany still have a fiber optic connection at the property boundary - only 23 percent are actually connected. Although the federal government sees expansion as an overriding public interest, the reality in many areas is overshadowed by slow progress.

With a view to the future, a constant expansion of the digital infrastructure is planned in Lower Saxony. The importance for the modernization of the business location and public services is once again underlined by the corona pandemic, the 2021 flood disaster and the Ukraine conflict. The goal is clear: a high-performance, digital infrastructure for all citizens. The implementation of these projects will play an important role by 2030 in making Lower Saxony and all of Germany future-proof.