Wissing Demands Sanctions for Network Operators
Mobile network operators expansion is not going as planned. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wessing calls for sanctions. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wessing (FDP) is increasing pressure on network operators because requirements to close dead spots are unlikely to be met. There can be a variety of reasons for this, for example because delays in delivery, citizen initiatives or lengthy approval processes are slowing expansion.
“The reasons must now be discussed in detail, along with the mobile industry. Where network operators are responsible, we believe that legal options should also be used to penalize self-inflicted delays.”
Wissing calls for sanctions
The federal network agency will have to impose penalties. The Authority verifies the supply requirements. Violations can result in severe penalties. The Authority’s advisory board meets on Monday.
Wessing said that when it comes to digital, Germany should not be mediocre, but rather play at the top. “In mobile communications, we have to close the dead spots as quickly as possible. Network operators are investing a lot of money and pushing ahead with expansion.”
It is likely that the 2022 expansion requirements will not be met
According to the Federal Network Agency, about 97 percent of the region is covered by 4G. Current figures show that coverage of network operators with the latest 5G mobile communication standards was about 79 percent in October 2022 and thus increased by almost 50 percent compared to the previous year.
“However, it is already becoming clear that the telecommunications industry will probably not be able to meet coverage requirements by the end of 2022,” says Wessing, who is also responsible for digital services. “In our gigabit strategy, we have put in place positive framework conditions in order to accelerate expansion,” said the FDP politician.
We want to simplify and standardize building law, and here it is the responsibility of the federal states to quickly adapt state laws accordingly.
“State and business must band together to create the digital infrastructure a modern country needs for the digital age,” Wessing demanded.
According to a report by the Federal Network Agency to its advisory board, it is unlikely that any of the three authorized operators Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica will meet the expansion requirements for 4G networks.
