The Baden-Württemper Agreement on Fiber is Finalized

Baden-Württemberg Accelerates Digital Expansion with Fiber Optics Pact

In a significant move towards enhancing the state's digital infrastructure, Minister Thomas Strobl has announced plans to increase the pace of expansion with bundled forces. This announcement comes after the signing of the Fiber Optics Pact Baden-Württemberg, a collaborative effort involving 24 actors, including municipal associations, telecommunications companies, industry associations, municipal utilities, and other partners.

The pact, which aims to achieve digital inclusion for all, drive economic progress, and strengthen digital sovereignty, is based on the shared understanding that the fiber optic expansion in Baden-Württemberg can only succeed through close cooperation between the public sector and private companies.

Minister Strobl emphasized the importance of digitalization, stating that it requires strong alliances. He further noted that the pact demonstrates this, as it sets binding principles for the interaction of the actors. These principles include coordinating self-financed and subsidized expansion measures, joint progress documentation, better integration, introduction of a statewide Gigabit Atlas, joint communication offensive, and regular evaluation and further development.

The state government is supporting the statewide expansion with targeted funding policy and a billion-euro offensive. In the 2025/2026 double budget, a further 1.1 billion euros are planned for the expansion of high-speed internet in Baden-Württemberg. Since 2016, the state has provided over 3.2 billion euros for broadband expansion, with a total of around 6.74 billion euros when combined with federal funding. To date, the state has supported over 3,700 projects related to broadband expansion.

The pact also aims to optimize the glass fiber infrastructure and mobile network coverage with even closer involvement of all parties. The statewide Gigabit Atlas will serve as a central instrument for transparent progress documentation of the Baden-Württemberg fiber optic expansion.

Before its official signing, the pact received nationwide attention, with an increasing number of associations and companies approaching the ministry to inform themselves and potentially join the pact. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Digitalization.

Baden-Württemberg has disproportionately benefited from federal funding since 2020, receiving the most federal funding annually. The goal is to build the digital fast lane in Baden-Württemberg, with the aim of ensuring that all residents and businesses have access to high-speed internet. This will contribute to economic progress and strengthen digital sovereignty in the state.