Dautmergen: Pioneer in broadband expansion – fast internet for everyone!

Dautmergen: Pioneer in broadband expansion – fast internet for everyone!

It was a big day for Dautmergen, because the small community in the Zollernalb district has achieved it: every house is now connected to the broadband network. The project was officially completed at a recent ceremony. A lot has happened since we applied for funding six years ago - it started with an operator tender on April 25, 2018. These steps are crucial to secure the digital future for all citizens.

The local council has acted with a good hand, because the need for fast internet is of utmost importance, especially in rural areas. More and more people and companies are demanding higher bandwidths because the technologies currently used, such as DSL, VDSL and Hybrid, only represent interim solutions. The truly future-proof technology is and remains fiber optic. This is not only powerful, but also offers the necessary flexibility that will be necessary for future Internet requirements. Zollernalbkreis.de emphasizes that there is a long-term vision for the expansion of fiber optic networks in order to counteract the undersupply, especially in commercial areas.

The economic benefits of broadband expansion

But that's not all: the expansion of the broadband network also has far-reaching economic consequences. According to a study by PwC Germany, broadband expansion is a real driver for the economy. In regions that are well served by broadband, gross income increases faster than in less well-developed areas. In the years between 2015 and 2021, average gross incomes in regions with broadband expansion rose 2.49 percentage points more than in regions without expansion.

The employment rate in well-served areas even increased by up to 2.95%. This shows that broadband provision is more than just technology; it means access to markets, increases sales and thus brings a real economic boost to the region. This makes it all the more important that telecommunications networks in rural areas are expanded quickly. [PwC].

The path to the digital future

But the path to nationwide broadband expansion is not without challenges. High costs, complex approval procedures and a lack of skilled workers make the process lengthy. Nevertheless, cooperation between all stakeholders – from communities to companies to telecommunications providers – is crucial for success. This is the only way to ensure in the long term that companies in rural regions also receive the required symmetrical broadband connections and can survive in competition.

Dautmergen is now a good example of how visionary thinking and decisive action can pave the way to the digital future, even in rural areas. The municipality has shown that it is possible to provide all citizens with fast internet and thus set the course for strong economic growth.