Government to spend billions on internet infrastructure
Germany’s infamously poor internet is about to get a boost to the tune of billions of euros, with digitalisation in schools a top priority.
A draft bill approved by cabinet on Wednesday sets out the government’s plan to set up a special digital infrastructure fund with an initial volume of 2.4 billion euros.
The fund will primarily be used to accelerate the digitalisation of schools and the expansion of Germany’s broadband infrastructure.
“The draft bill lays the groundwork for making effective digital infrastructure in schools, living rooms and businesses a reality,” the Federal Ministry of Finance said.
Connectivity has long been a problem for Germany, with the EU and the OECD criticising the country last year for its slow expansion of broadband infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
By 2025, the EU wants to have ensured that download speeds of between 100 megabits and one gigabit per second are possible across the continent. In a report last June, it warned that Germany would not be able to meet this target.
The digitalisation fund agreed by cabinet this week is just the latest in a series of attempts by the government to address the problem. The coalition agreement sets out a pledge to invest 10-12 billion euros in broadband expansion by 2021.
The 2.4 billion for the digital fund was announced by finance minister Olaf Scholz earlier this summer, and approved by cabinet amid new figures which suggest that state revenue will be higher than expected this year.
In future, revenues from the sale of licenses for recently rolled out 5G networks are also to flow directly into the digital fund.
Comments
See Also
A draft bill approved by cabinet on Wednesday sets out the government’s plan to set up a special digital infrastructure fund with an initial volume of 2.4 billion euros.
The fund will primarily be used to accelerate the digitalisation of schools and the expansion of Germany’s broadband infrastructure.
“The draft bill lays the groundwork for making effective digital infrastructure in schools, living rooms and businesses a reality,” the Federal Ministry of Finance said.
Connectivity has long been a problem for Germany, with the EU and the OECD criticising the country last year for its slow expansion of broadband infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
By 2025, the EU wants to have ensured that download speeds of between 100 megabits and one gigabit per second are possible across the continent. In a report last June, it warned that Germany would not be able to meet this target.
The digitalisation fund agreed by cabinet this week is just the latest in a series of attempts by the government to address the problem. The coalition agreement sets out a pledge to invest 10-12 billion euros in broadband expansion by 2021.
The 2.4 billion for the digital fund was announced by finance minister Olaf Scholz earlier this summer, and approved by cabinet amid new figures which suggest that state revenue will be higher than expected this year.
In future, revenues from the sale of licenses for recently rolled out 5G networks are also to flow directly into the digital fund.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.