Berlin Minister for the Economy, Franziska Giffey (SPD) has confirmed that the entire capital will have access to fibre optic internet by 2028, two years earlier than initially planned.

Berlin’s fibre optic internet connection is 34 percent completed

In the past year, the fibre optic internet coverage in Berlin has doubled, with 34 percent of the city now having access. 

Berlin Minister for the Economy and former mayor, Franziska Giffey has announced that the progress means the capital should have complete fibre optic coverage by 2028, two years earlier than originally planned.

“A great increase in Berlin’s network capacity is essential for the city and its capabilities to compete internationally,” Giffey said in a press release from the Berlin Senate, adding that around 30 percent more data is produced year-on-year.

Giffey aiming for 100 percent 5G coverage by 2025

Giffey has another goal set for connection coverage for mobile phones in the capital, increasing 5G coverage from the current 99,7 percent to 100 percent by 2025. 

This would put Berlin in first place nationwide for 5G coverage. While different network companies provide different levels of service, 5G coverage across Germany is currently somewhere between 66,5 percent and Berlin’s 99,7 percent.

According to the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), Bonn-based company Deutsche Telekom is currently the network provider offering the most widespread 5G coverage in Germany, available in 81,1 percent of the country.

Earlier this year, network provider O2 Telefónica announced that it expects 5G internet coverage will be available to the entire German population by the end of 2025. Vodafone is promising 5G coverage to 95 percent of households across the country by March 2025 and Telekom is pushing for 99 percent of households by the end of the same year.

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