The so-called right to fast internet could benefit more citizens than ever before in the future. Currently, all households in Germany must be able to receive at least 10 megabits per second in download and 1.7 megabits in upload. Most households can get fairly good connections, but in remote areas it can be even worse. There, a legal claim could mean that those affected can force a better connection.
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As can be seen from a letter from the Bundestag coalition groups made up of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP, this minimum level is going to increase this year – to 15 megabits for download and 5 megabits for upload. This letter is available with the German Press Agency. By increasing the minimum value, the number of addresses below this Internet minimum increases from 1.8 to 2.2 million, according to the Federal Network Agency.
However, some of them are within range of mobile phone antennas that meet the minimum requirements – how many are is not clear. The legal claim can also be satisfied by satellite Internet – the important thing here is that it remains “affordable”. According to an earlier estimate by the Federal Network Agency, which mentioned the old minimum requirement, around 400,000 households across the country were deemed to be undersupplied. Now there are even more.
It’s the Bundestag’s turn
On Wednesday, the Bundestag’s digital committee is due to vote on the change in regulation and thus give the Federal Network Agency the green light to change the regulation accordingly. The new rule will probably come into force from late summer or autumn. It is about the “right to be provided with telecommunications services”. This is also known as the “right to fast internet”, although most of the city’s residents would not describe fast internet service as falling under the legal right.
Where there is television cable or fiber optic internet, 1000 megabits per second is offered for download. However, in some places where slow internet is still a reality, the minimum price can certainly be an improvement. In particular, the improvement in upload – at least three times the current requirement – is important for consumers. This may be sufficient for standard video conferences – but there may be problems with multiple video conferences being carried out at the same time via the internet connection.
Politicians talk about “safety nets”
FDP member of the Bundestag Maximilian Funke-Kaiser said, “By increasing the minimum bandwidth, we are expanding the digital safety net for those who do not yet have access to fast internet.” Social Democrat Johannes Schätzle emphasized that digital participation is part of social participation. Klaus Müller, chairman of the Federal Network Agency, said about the importance of the right to minimum internet provision: “It’s like the minimum wage: most people get more, nobody can get less.” You should check the minimum eligibility regularly. “With the increasing requirements in the internet age, the minimum level is likely to continue to rise in the future.”
Consumer advocates reacted with outrage. Felix Flossbach of the NRW consumer advice center said, “We are pleased that the affected consumers now have a greater right to a minimum supply.” Unfortunately, this increase has come too late; it was already promised last year.
Legal claims so far without any significant effect
The “right to fast internet” has existed since 2021 – with fewer requirements. But it has not yet really achieved anything for people in remote areas. It was only in March this year that the Federal Network Agency intervened for the first time and obliged an internet provider to provide internet to a home in Germany.
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