Study: 'Broadband for all' is feasible

Study: 'Broadband for all' is feasible

The Greens have unveiled in Berlin on Wednesday a report  of the framework for a universal broadband service. To expand the universal service obligation to a line-enabled Internet access would mean that include broadband connections such as telephone, water and electricity for basic services to all households. Access provider would then all German households with a high-speed broadband connection to supply. This is legally feasible and economically reasonable, its net assets (DIW econ), the study of the consulting company of the German Institute for Economic Research and University of Muenster. A requirement for providers but must "be technology-neutral and minimize distortions of competition," said the Munster legal scholar Pascal Schumacher.

The 2009 revised EU's Universal Service Directive provides for a upgrade to broadband to the unserved "white spots" to connect. For this, a national legal framework was needed, what offering to the ongoing revision of the Telecommunications Act (TKG). Under EU law, which was significantly on the majority of participants in a country unused bandwidth: "It jumps out so until about 6 Mbit / s," said Schumacher. Put it on a more stringent recommendation, which would have 80 percent of respondents already use a certain bandwidth, it lies in Germany from 2.5 to 3 Mbit / s. Skeptical of the research showed that a nationwide broadband coverage could be achieved with the mobile technology LTE.

At just over one billion euros estimated by Anselm Mattes DIW econ costs to upgrade nearly 4 million households that are currently less than 2 Mbit / s supplied. On the downside, compared to revenue for the provider by user fees. By the state committed to expanding companies would be able to cover their own costs in the medium term but probably not. One must, however, the "great benefit" to consumers with Anticipated. In a nationwide broadband coverage with 2 Mbit / s. This amounts to around 140 million € per year. To higher overall economic growth would come in the amount of five to eight billion euros.

Mattes' colleague Pio Baake recommended to handle the universal broadband service nationwide tender process. This package offers for individual regions should be possible to gain the cost benefits. For specific funding, the researchers recommend setting up a corporate fund, which should be based on revenue share of network providers. A broadband tax, as it has repeatedly been brought into play, was unconstitutional.

The Greens had announced in January to look at the requirements for a broadband universal service for all households with at least 2 Mbit / s want. The expertise behind them, they have now adopted a group decision in which they have a "legal right" for broadband with 6 Mbit / s demand. "The reason we want to supply universal service from 2013," said the media spokesperson for the Greens in the Bundestag, Tabea Roessner. Medium term, the opposition party talks for the establishment of a "leading fiber optic network into homes to" from.

In parliament, the Greens are not alone with their push. Representatives of the CDU / CSU parliamentary group made their first in April for a universal broadband service with a minimum of 16 Mbit / s strong. In their current paper call for reform of the Telecommunications Act itself speaks more cautiously, the Union for a 'universal service obligation for market failure "from. A regulation should be based on the bandwidth used by the majority and impose a "reasonable price". In addition, be considered the "majority of the participants of the prevailing technologies used". The Union wants to take it all providers with a market share of more than 4 percent of their duty.

Access providers and providers are strongly opposed to extend the universal service. Industry associations have also appealed last week to the politicians to let the fingers of a broadband universal service. The expansion would be delayed and hampered by the competition. Industry representatives point out that the company could provide "fair competition in the technologies and business models, the country faster, cheaper and better" with broadband access "as an extension by decree."