The Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, together with municipalities, associations and telecommunications providers, has signed a second joint “Gigapact for Lower Saxony”. The joint paper focuses in particular on the connection of the new building and commercial areas and the socio-economic focal points – i.e. places where parallel uses take place via the same connection, such as schools or ports. The aim is to remove existing barriers and find common solutions to provide these addresses with gigabit-enabled connections as quickly as possible.
The signatories of the pact also want to simplify the approval process and support technical progress in laying techniques. In particular, the expansion in rural areas can be accelerated considerably as a result.
Stefan Muhle, State Secretary for Digitization: “Since 2018, Lower Saxony has made considerable progress in expanding the digital infrastructure. This is particularly thanks to those involved in the Gigapakt. Here we bring all players involved in broadband and mobile communications expansion around the table and find pragmatic solutions. I am delighted that we have succeeded in setting the right priorities for the coming years with the joint declaration of the Gigapact. “
Prof. Dr. Hubert Meyer, Chairman of the Lower Saxony District Assembly: “Despite the different interests of all those involved, the new Gigapakt shows that there is a common goal: nationwide fiber optic expansion in Lower Saxony. Municipalities, the state and telecommunications providers continue to work together to achieve this. We particularly welcome the voluntary commitment of the telecommunications providers to develop smaller new development areas, which brings clarity and reliability on site. “
Dr. Jan Arning, General Manager of the Lower Saxony City Council: “We are pleased that the development with gigabit-capable connections is progressing. With the intended funding programs, there is now finally the possibility of creating a sustainable infrastructure in the so-called “gray spots”, i.e. areas that are already supplied with 30 Mbit / s. At the same time, urban areas must now also be increasingly brought into focus again. “
Dr. Reinhold Kassing, managing director of the VKU regional group Lower Saxony / Bremen: “The joint gigapact is a high value that we as VKU support in any case. We are only strong if we work together to advance digitization and broadband expansion. “
Dr. Stephan Albers, Managing Director of the German Broadband Communication Association (BREKO): “The fiber optic expansion will be a successful project when politicians and network operators pull together. The aim of BREKO and its member companies is to connect citizens, companies, schools and other important institutions to the fiber optic network as quickly as possible. Together with the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, Labor, Transport and Digitization, we are campaigning with the Gigapakt to ensure that the tools offered by the new Telecommunications Act are used, that approval processes are accelerated and that modern laying processes are used to a much greater extent than before . “
Norbert Westfal, spokesman for the management of EWE TEL: “We are happy and grateful to be part of the Lower Saxony Gigapakt. You can see very well here how important it is to bring everyone involved to one table. Many problems can be solved better in this way than talking about one another instead of talking to one another. “
Walter Goldenits, Managing Director Technology at Telekom Deutschland: “We are happy if we can contribute, together with those involved in the Lower Saxony gigapact, to realizing an efficient and fast expansion of fiber optics. The following still applies: With short approval procedures and the use of modern laying methods, Lower Saxony can quickly become a fiber-optic country. “
Background:
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics first launched the so-called Gigapakt, a digital partnership with municipalities, associations and telecommunications providers, at the end of 2018. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the participants of the Gigapakt come together every quarter for a joint exchange. In these discussions, all topics relating to the expansion of telecommunications are addressed in a constructive and transparent manner, so that the expansion of the digital infrastructure can be speedily accelerated and obstacles removed.
Signatories of the “Gigapact for Lower Saxony” include:
· Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, Labor, Transport and Digitization
· Lower Saxony-Bremen broadband center
· Lower Saxony County Council
· Lower Saxony City Council
· Lower Saxony Association of Towns and Municipalities
Federal Association of Broadband Communication eV (BREKO)
· Deutsche Glasfaser Holding GmbH
· Deutsche Telekom AG
· EWE Tel GmbH
· Glasfaser Nordwest GmbH & Co. KG
· Htp GmbH
· Vodafone GmbH
· Building Industry Association Lower Saxony-Bremen eV
· Lower Saxony building trade association
· National Association of Machine Rings
· Lower Saxony state authority for road construction and traffic
Lower Saxony Investment and Development Bank (NBank)
· VKU regional group Lower Saxony / Bremen
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