Expansion of fiber optic and mobile networks needs investment-friendly and competition-oriented policy

Germany’s telecommunications industry is pushing for faster network expansion as nearly 70% of already approved funding remains unused. Four major associations—ANGA, Bitkom, BREKO, and VATM—are calling for urgent changes to speed up fibre-optic and mobile network rollouts across the country. They warn that delays and rising costs could worsen if action isn’t taken soon.

The industry groups have proposed a new Infrastructure Acceleration Act to cut red tape and streamline deployment. Their demands include reducing reporting and documentation requirements, which currently slow down progress. A digital notification system is also suggested to simplify approvals for municipalities and companies.

A special fund of up to €100 billion exists for state-level digital infrastructure projects, but much of it sits untouched. Operators stress the need for a long-term funding strategy, with a minimum of €1 billion in federal gigabit funding each year. While coalition talks mention potential annual allocations of €3.5 billion, no official confirmation has been made. The associations insist on uniform rules across all states to avoid patchy progress. Without stable funding and faster procedures, they warn that network expansion will face further setbacks and higher expenses.

The push for reform comes as billions in approved funds go unspent. If bureaucracy isn’t reduced and funding secured, Germany risks falling behind in digital infrastructure. The industry’s proposals aim to ensure faster, more reliable network expansion in the coming years.