Germany's new telecoms law speeds fibre rollout but faces industry backlash
Germany's push for faster fibre-optic expansion has gained momentum with a new draft Telecommunications Act (TKG). The proposed law, set for 2026, introduces measures to speed up broadband rollout by simplifying approvals and enforcing copper-to-fibre migration. Yet, while many support the changes, industry leaders warn of economic and legal hurdles that could slow progress.
The plan builds on the 1990s liberalisation of the telecoms marketâa move still viewed positively by 65% of consumers and 69% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
The draft TKG includes key provisions to accelerate fibre deployment. One major change is the Vollausbaurecht (§ 144), allowing operators to fully equip buildings with fibre if they've already laid infrastructure up to the property line. However, property owners can block this if they start their own installation within two months. The law also mandates third-party access to fibre networks (§ 22), with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) stepping in to set pricing if companies fail to agree.
Critics argue that these rules may create new problems. Stefan Rueter, COO of OXG, warns that the two-month notification period and two-year project completion requirement could delay expansion plans. Claus Wedemeyer, head of housing association GdW, adds that BNetzA's potential fees might not reflect real costs, favouring dominant players instead. Other challenges include high construction costs, rising interest rates, and low demand in some areas. Legal disputes could also arise over definitions like *comparable expansion areas* and strict thresholds requiring 80% of homes to be connectedâexcluding fibre-to-the-building (FttB) solutions. The draft even allows forced building access, overriding owner rights in some cases. Despite these concerns, there is broad support for more competition. Hessian Digital Minister Kristina Sinemus is pushing for faster expansion through external pressure. The industry, however, stresses the need for investment incentives, especially in tough economic times.
The 2026 TKG draft aims to modernise Germany's telecoms infrastructure by cutting red tape and enforcing fibre upgrades. Yet, the success of these plans depends on balancing speed with fairnessâensuring costs remain realistic and property rights are respected. If implemented, the law could reshape broadband access but may also face resistance from operators and landowners.
