Fast Internet in Baden-Württemberg: Where is the fiber optic expansion?

Fast Internet in Baden-Württemberg: Where is the fiber optic expansion?

What is happening in the area of ​​fast internet in Baden-Württemberg? To put it bluntly: there is still a lot to do. According to the latest figures, only 22.59% of private households in this country have a fiber optic connection into the house. This puts us in last place in a nationwide comparison, while the national average is 35.69%. [Tagesschau] reports that this is not just a problem of numbers, but also of the background that makes comprehensive coverage difficult.

If you look at the differences within Baden-Württemberg, a frightening picture emerges: in Ulm only 4.77% of households are supplied with fiber optics, while in the Heilbronn district the figure is an impressive 58.55%. Strong local partnerships and clever infrastructure planning have apparently borne fruit here. Ulm, on the other hand, benefits primarily from gigabit-capable cable connections, which many consider to be “sufficient”. But are they really?

The challenges of expansion

The responsibility for fiber optic expansion lies primarily with private telecommunications companies such as Vodafone and Telekom. However, these companies often only concentrate on economically lucrative areas, which leads to a high need for expansion in less well-served, topographically challenging regions such as the southern Black Forest. [Tagesschau] highlights that many communities continue to remain without a connection and this understandably leads to a high level of dissatisfaction. A real dilemma: Consumers who cancel their DSL contract are often left without a fiber optic connection.

In addition, the availability of gigabit-capable TV cable networks is dampening demand for fiber optics. The state government also relies heavily on state funding, but this does not solve all structural problems. What is the situation in the underserved areas?

Funding and future plans

In Baden-Württemberg, 3.24 billion euros have already been made available for over 3,735 funding projects since 2016, and a further 1.1 billion euros are planned for expansion in the 2025/2026 double budget. This funding only goes to underserved areas that require at least 500 Mbit/s download or 200 Mbit/s symmetrical. According to [Baden-Württemberg Digital], applicants must prove that there is no private sector interest in expansion, which can pose further hurdles.

The advantages of fiber are undeniable: higher bandwidths, more reliability, lower latency and lower power consumption. This means that future bandwidth requirements can only be covered by fiber optics. At the same time, many consumers are confronted with low bandwidths for DSL contracts and prices are rising. But there is a ray of hope: fiber optic tariffs are becoming cheaper and offer better conditions than ever before.

Consumers in the stranglehold of providers

Waiting for a fiber optic connection can become a game of patience. Binding commitments are often unreliable, which is why it is advisable to have a “Plan B” in hand. Consumers should keep in mind that there are many different technologies that can affect bandwidth. In homeowners' associations, agreement is often required, which further complicates the matter. But: What about attempted fraud in connection with fiber optic connections?

Unfortunately, door-to-door sales and misleading information about fiber optic connections are common. It is important to be vigilant here so as not to end up as a victim of fraudulent schemes. [Tagesschau] and other sources recommend that you be well informed when choosing a provider and compare offers.

Overall, it is clear that fiber optic expansion in Baden-Württemberg offers both major challenges and diverse opportunities. A solid, comprehensive fiber optic network is crucial not only for the country's competitiveness, but also for consumer satisfaction. Time will tell whether and how quickly progress will be made here.

Sources:

– daily news
– Baden-Württemberg Digital
– Fiber optic internet