Zusammenfassung:
In terms of broad band infrastructure, Germany lacks a strategic objective beyond the 2025 target of 1 Gbit/s in download speed. However, future demand will require exhaustive fibre coverage to the building (fttb) connections. Renewing the existing copper-based infrastructure through private investment is proving to be sluggish, as current demand is most often met by existing connections. To align market driven and publicly sponsored infrastructure development, Germany needs to set a clear infrastructure objective of replacing existing copper based connections with fibre ones. Moreover, policymakers need to make clear that infrastructure development cannot rely on state subsidies. Not only would this be very costly for taxpayers, it also bears the potential of crowding out private investment.