Munich (dpa / lby) – the state government, municipalities and network operators want to speed up the expansion of broadband and mobile communications in Bavaria again. To this end, all those involved signed a new “Digital Infrastructure Pact” on Wednesday in Munich. The aim is to expand gigabit networks as comprehensively as possible by 2025.
In concrete terms, for example, approval procedures are to be accelerated and digitized and existing hurdles lowered. Among other things, masts should be able to be erected up to a height of 15 meters within communities without a permit process, and up to a height of 20 meters outdoors – but the communities should be “involved”. There should also be no space outside. In the future, mobile radio masts should be allowed to be erected for 24 months instead of the previous 3 months. The installation of cell phone systems along state roads and county roads is to be made easier and the use of state and municipal properties is to be simplified.
In the mobile communications sector, the new pact provides for a total of 8,400 5G expansion and expansion measures, including more than 2,000 new locations and an additional 250 mobile masts. The network operators should also cooperate more closely than before, i.e. use masts together.
In the broadband sector, a further 3.1 million households are to be supplied with fiber optic connections by 2025 – although the households will ultimately have to decide for themselves whether they want to use this or not.
As before, the network operators are initially responsible for the expansion themselves. However, this should be “flanked” by “lean and targeted funding programs”.
Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) called the new pact an important step forward for the digital transformation. It is important that not only certain areas, but the whole country benefit. “The basis of everyday digitization must be expanded and improved, that is the goal of this pact,” he said. Digital Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) emphasized that even if Bavaria is already above the national average in all areas, one does not want to stand still, but to develop further.
Söder criticized the fact that the federal government had prematurely stopped its gigabit funding for fast internet this year because of exhausted funding. “If that’s true, it would be a huge step backwards and a breach of a federal promise,” he said. “Take out debts of 300 billion and not have a penny left for gigabit funding is simply sending the wrong signal about the country’s future viability.”
