Federal Government Supports Expansion of Fast Internet with an Additional 1.8 Billion Euros - Germany pumps €1.8B into rural fiber-optic expansion to bridge digital gap
The German government has announced an extra €1.8 billion to speed up fiber-optic expansion across the country. The funding targets rural and underserved areas where private investment falls short. Officials stress that fast internet is now as vital as roads and railways for modern infrastructure.
The move comes alongside criticism from industry groups over slow progress. Current projects take an average of seven years from application to completion, prompting calls for urgent reform.
Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger has compared high-speed internet to essential transport networks. He argues that reliable connectivity must reach not just cities but also villages and small towns. To date, the government has poured around €21 billion into broadband upgrades.
The latest funding round recognised over 40 projects, including one in Wittmund district. This will finally connect Spiekeroog, the last unconnected rural king in Lower Saxony. In total, roughly 3,850 infrastructure schemes are underway, set to deliver nearly 4.7 million new fiber connections. Local councils and public companies—such as Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom’s GlasfaserPlus—receive federal support to fill gaps in rural areas. The money covers the difference between construction costs and what the net would fund alone. However, the German Broadband Association (Breko) warns that excessive bureaucracy is holding back progress. Breko’s director has urged the Digital Ministry to ‘dramatically cut red tape’ and streamline approvals. Without faster processing, the group fears delays will persist, leaving communities waiting years for upgrades.
The €1.8 billion boost aims to close the digital divide between urban and rural regions. Local authorities and telecom partners will use the funds to extend networks where private investment is unprofitable. Yet industry leaders insist that faster approvals are just as critical as extra money to meet expansion targets.
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