Internet connection
Netzagentur recommends a minimum download rate of ten megabits
The Federal Network Agency suggests a minimum download rate of ten megabits for every Internet connection. Photo: Fabian Sommer / dpa
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What are the minimum requirements for an internet connection in Germany? The Bundesnetzagengtur has thought about this and has now published the results.
According to a proposal by the Federal Network Agency, citizens should in future be entitled to Internet access with a download rate of at least ten megabits per second throughout Germany.
The authority published the first “Considerations for the Consultation” on Wednesday on the basis of three expert reports. The background to this is the new version of the Telecommunications Act, in which new rules for universal service have been anchored since December 1st. The Federal Network Agency must issue a statutory ordinance by June 1, in which the rules are specified. The Bundestag, Bundesrat and the Ministry for Digital and Transport must give their prior consent.
On the basis of the reports, the authority also puts a minimum upload rate of 1.3 megabits per second and a delay time (latency) of 150 milliseconds at the most up for discussion. According to the reports, internet access that meets these requirements enables all internet services essential for basic services to be used, announced the network agency.
“The newly created law wants to enable all citizens to use all essential Internet services, teleworking and video streaming to the usual extent,” said Jochen Homann, head of the authorities, according to the announcement.
The new requirements concern a minority of citizens. By the end of next year, 98 percent of households are to be supplied with a bandwidth of 100 megabits – i.e. ten times as high a speed.
The authority announced that it would review the supply requirements annually and adjust them in line with technological developments. On the basis of the values specified in the statutory ordinance, the network agency also wants to determine undersupply in the future. If no telecommunications company submits a suitable voluntary offer there, companies should be obliged to supply. “In principle, all technologies are to be taken into account, if they are suitable,” it said.