Enlarge image
Fiber optic cable for broadband internet: In Germany, this is far from being a standard
Photo: Patrick Seeger/ dpa
With a little delay, the federal cabinet decided on a right to fast internet.
According to the regulations, in future fixed network Internet connections must be able to download at least 10 megabits per second (Mbit/s) and upload 1.7 megabits per second everywhere in Germany.
In view of the fact that significantly faster Internet connections are possible in many households, both values seem very low.
For people who live in the country or on the outskirts, the legal lower limit could still be helpful - they have a legal right to broadband Internet for the first time.
Under certain circumstances, the Federal Network Agency can arrange for the laying of better lines.
A special way for satellites
There is also a target for the latency, i.e. the response time.
This must not be longer than 150 milliseconds.
Inexpensive Internet via satellites that are far away is therefore out of the question for supplying remote houses, because the latency of this technology is higher.
Internet access via near-earth satellites is possible, but expensive.
However, the regulation allows exceptions in which satellite technologies with higher latency can be used.
Digital Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) said that the minimum requirements would ensure “the digital participation” of all those “who have so far been cut off from the supply”.
It is also positive for consumers that the minimum values are to be redefined every year.
This takes into account the development of general internet use in Germany, which has changed over the years due to network expansion and new tariffs.
Criticism of the key data
Originally, the regulation now passed by the federal cabinet was supposed to come into force on June 1st.
However, the green light from the Federal Council and the Digital Committee of the Bundestag is still missing.
There is still a need for discussion there.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport admitted on Wednesday that the planned date is unlikely to be tenable.
The digital policy spokesman for the opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Reinhard Brandl, called the regulation passed by the government "unambitious".
The meanwhile usual usage behavior of the citizens is ignored.
"We have serious doubts as to whether a 10 megabit download rate and a 1.7 megabit upload rate per connection is sufficient for a family with children as basic service."
mak/dpa