Fiber optics, broadband, fast internet - and how do you get it to your home? These and other questions were answered on Friday, September 8, 2023, at the Infomobile of the Federal Gigabit Office. At the invitation of Bonn's Economic Development Agency, it made a stop at the corner of Vivatsgasse and Münsterplatz. Mayor Katja Dörner also visited the information team and got a first-hand impression of the possibilities of fiber optic coverage.
She is delighted that the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport's Infomobile is offering citizens the opportunity to have their questions about fiber optic technology answered: "This is an excellent opportunity for the people of Bonn to find out everything they need to know about fiber optics on site and to see the technology in action. Comprehensive fibre optic coverage is a necessary prerequisite for the ongoing digitalization of all areas of life. It is also indispensable for our path to becoming a "smart city", because fiber optics means connection to the future, according to the Mayor of Bonn.
As part of the federal government's gigabit strategy, the aim is to work with local authorities to explain the added value of a fiber optic connection and the importance of upcoming in-house cabling to all interested citizens. The Infomobile is equipped with exhibits on broadband and mobile expansion to clearly illustrate the relevant expansion phases.
The broadband expansion projects to supply Bonn with fiber optic technology include the city's successful participation in two funding procedures. In the fiber optic expansion funded by the federal and state governments under the Weiße-Flecken program, around 50 primary and special schools and two commercial areas are currently being supplied with fiber optics. This expansion is being carried out by Deutsche Telekom AG on behalf of the City of Bonn. This project is currently scheduled for completion in October 2023. In the second funding procedure in the Weiße-Flecken program, around 22 further institutions and 15 commercial areas are now scheduled for expansion from October 2023.
Last year, the city administration was able to secure additional federal funding of 18.2 million euros under the "Grey Spots Program". Prior to this, a market exploration procedure required by the funding guidelines had been carried out, in which the network providers' own fiber optic expansion intentions up to the end of 2025 were queried.
The background to this is that the public sector only wants to lay fiber optics in areas where telecommunications companies are not planning to carry out a so-called own-account expansion on their own initiative. In this market exploration procedure, two network providers have announced their intention to expand large parts of Bonn on their own initiative, namely Westconnect GmbH and Deutsche Telekom. Telekom Deutschland GmbH is currently laying fibre optic cables primarily in Beuel-Mitte and Westconnect GmbH is expanding in Lessenich. Other areas will follow.
Further information on the broadband expansion can also be found at www.bonn.de/glasfaser (opens in a new tab)