Federal Network Agency launches nationwide infrastructure atlas to promote expansion of broadband

The Federal Network Agency has today launched a nationwide infrastructure atlas. This contains spatial data about the infrastructure of currently over 100 companies and institutions, such as data about fibre optic lines, empty ducts, radio towers and masts as well as radio stations. Upon application the Federal Network Agency will, with immediate effect, provide authorised users with information about the infrastructure contained in the atlas.

"The purpose of the infrastructure atlas is to facilitate the use of synergies in the infrastructure deployment. The more efficiently existing infrastructures are shared, the faster can high-speed networks be built, and the sooner will remote areas be connected to the broadband internet, as cost-efficiently as possible. With this project the Federal Network Agency is implementing a key measure of the Federal government's broadband strategy," explained Matthias Kurth, president of the Federal Network Agency.

As authorised users Länder, districts and self-governing towns can now submit to the Federal Network Agency applications for information pertaining to expansion projects. In addition municipalities belonging to a district, telecommunications companies and planning offices are authorised to use the infrastructure atlas. They can also contact the Federal Network Agency via the authorised user responsible for their region.

"In co-operation with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology we have spent the last few weeks and months working closely with representatives from industry, the Länder and local umbrella organisations towards this day. We hope that the infrastructure atlas can now also prove on a practical level that the effort has been worth it," Kurth said. "Based on the experiences of the next few months we will then develop the infrastructure atlas further in line with user’s needs. Another objective is to enable authorised users to access the information online."

The Federal Network Agency has set up a toll-free hotline on 0800 811 1777, for questions relating to the infrastructure atlas. In addition comprehensive information for authorised users and answers to frequently asked questions were published on the authority’s website, www.bundesnetzagentur.de.