The gaps in mobile communications are to be closed further. Funding has now been approved by the EU.

The EU Commission today approved the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure’s mobile communications funding guideline. This means that EUR 1.1 billion in federal funding can be used to expand up to 5,000 mobile communications sites.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Transport, the white spots on the map of mobile communications coverage are now to disappear. To this end, the mobile communications infrastructure company and the companies are to set up additional mobile communications sites with the support of the ministry. According to the ministry, the direct support ensures that existing competencies and established processes are used optimally. “We are promoting the development of the passive infrastructure, especially the mast structures, but also the feed line and power supply. The focus here is particularly on sustainability and future viability,” it says.

With generous dimensioning and high-performance fiber-optic connections, sites would be available for all mobile network operators and would be “optimally positioned for the introduction of the new 5G mobile communications standard”. The funding is intended to ensure that at least one mobile network operator always offers high-performance voice and data coverage with at least 4G on the funded infrastructures. The ministry wants to ensure that as many mobile network operators as possible use the subsidized mobile network site.

“The goal of nationwide mobile communications has been firmly agreed and is now within reach. As of today, we have the green light from the EU for our mobile communications funding. We will use the EUR 1.1 billion to build up to 5,000 mobile communications masts in the white spots, especially in rural regions. The mobile communications infrastructure company will implement the funding for us from a single source. In this way, we will create nationwide, uninterrupted telephony, mobile working without charging bars, and the basis for high-performance mobile communications with 5G.”

Federal Minister Scheuer

According to the mobile communications infrastructure company, it supports market participants in the search for, preparation and approval of sites. The search for suitable sites in underserved areas is often difficult and lengthy. The mobile communications infrastructure company should therefore provide assistance here in particular: coordinate search circles, identify suitable sites, prepare approval procedures and work closely with the municipalities to jointly realize nationwide coverage.

The first market investigation procedures will be completed in July of this year. It will then be clear for the areas concerned where there is a need for subsidies because they cannot be expanded on their own.