Promotion of Broadband Provision in Rural Areas (Broadband Directive)
Grant for the expansion of high-performance fiber optic networks (FTTB/H) in rural areas of Schleswig-Holstein with up to 75% funding.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the statewide expansion of high-performance, affordable, and high-quality fiber optic networks (FTTB/H) in previously unserved and underserved rural areas of Schleswig-Holstein to improve broadband coverage.
Eligible expenses
- Laying of empty conduits
- External planning and consulting services
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Eligible applicants are municipalities, cities, districts, municipal associations, and companies under exclusively public ownership in Schleswig-Holstein
- Consideration of the applicable funding principles of the GAK framework plan
- No private-sector fiber optic provision expected within the next 3 years
- Construction measures for the joint installation of empty conduits must be at least 1,000 meters long and last more than 8 weeks
- A plausible connection concept must be submitted
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Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Proof of market exploration procedure
- Cost estimates or quotations
- Tender documents
Evaluation criteria
- Need for catch-up (proportion of underserved addresses)
- Use of synergies
- Digital participation in rural areas (population density)
- Inter-municipal cooperation
Description
Under the designation Promotion of Broadband Supply in Rural Areas, the state of Schleswig-Holstein supports the expansion of high-performance fiber optic networks (FTTB/H) in previously unserved and underserved regions. Public-law institutions, publicly owned companies, and municipal special-purpose associations receive co-financing of up to 75 percent of eligible expenses. Anchored in the thematic areas of infrastructure, agriculture and rural development, regional promotion, digitalization, as well as smart cities and urban development, the support is technology- and provider-neutral. The program aims at a comprehensive improvement of broadband supply, the development of digital services in rural areas, and the strengthening of regional development. Continuously open calls allow for timely application submission and ongoing project management.
Funding is provided for the joint installation of empty conduits as well as external planning and consulting services. Prerequisites include a plausible connection concept, a minimum construction length of 1,000 meters with a duration of more than eight weeks, and confirmation that no private-sector expansion is planned within the next three years. Furthermore, compliance with the applicable funding principles of the GAK framework plan is mandatory. An open, technology- and provider-neutral procurement procedure with comprehensive documentation ensures transparency. Evaluation focuses on catch-up needs (proportion of underserved addresses), synergy utilization, digital participation in sparsely populated areas, and inter-municipal cooperation. The funding amount per project can be up to 100 million euros. To apply, a project description, a financing plan, evidence of the market exploration procedure, cost estimates, and procurement documents must be submitted, among other requirements. There is no deadline; applications are accepted year-round.