What is it about? 

The expansion of fibre optic networks is a central element of digital infrastructure. The EU Commission's Gigabit Infrastructure Regulation, which came into force on 11 May 2024, aims to create uniform conditions and reduce the costs of expansion. Construction works are to be better coordinated, existing infrastructure shared, and transparency increased. The Gigabit Infrastructure Act will be applicable from November 2025.

Who is affected? 

The new regulations primarily affect companies expanding broadband networks (especially fibre optics). At the same time, owners of other infrastructure (gas and water pipelines, public buildings) may also be affected by the new regulation.

What does the regulation provide? 

Accelerating and reducing the costs of network expansion are key objectives. These include a fundamental right of access to physical infrastructures of public authorities and network operators – such as empty conduits, distribution boxes, but also gas and wastewater pipelines, buildings, and traffic signs. This access can only be denied under certain conditions.

Furthermore, companies expanding networks will be required to coordinate their construction works if they are publicly funded. This so-called co-deployment allows synergies to be utilised during network expansion, as it prevents streets or pavements from being excavated multiple times. 

Additional areas covered by the regulation include extensive transparency requirements for planned expansion projects, simplification of approval procedures, and new rules for internal building infrastructures. For example, a quality seal is envisaged to make the fibre optic equipment of buildings transparent – an important piece of information for companies when choosing a location.

The regulation can be downloaded from eur-lex.europa.eu.

An example 

A telecommunications network operator wants to lay a fibre optic network in a municipality. Under certain circumstances, they can access existing infrastructure such as empty conduits already laid by another company.

What is now important for the economy? 

For the German economy, fast, reliable, and powerful digital infrastructure is indispensable. A DIHK survey on digitalisation in 2023 revealed that around a quarter of companies did not have sufficiently fast internet. Therefore, a rapid and comprehensive expansion of fibre optic and high-performance mobile networks is essential.

The GIA can contribute to this, for instance, with proposals to accelerate approval procedures through standardised digital processes with specific deadlines. National peculiarities must be considered during implementation, such as proven access regulations. This is because, first and foremost, comprehensive fibre optic expansion is necessary before the focus can shift to the development of multiple parallel networks.