Cabinet approves TKG amendment to accelerate expansion

On June 25, 2026, the Federal Cabinet approved the amendment to the Telecommunications Act (TKG). This legislative change aims to accelerate the expansion of fiber optic and mobile networks in Germany. Additionally, the amendment is intended to implement European law to improve competitive conditions in the telecommunications sector.

The industry associations BREKO, VATM, and Bitkom have acknowledged the Cabinet's decision. While they recognize some positive aspects in the amendment, they also express concerns regarding the scope and implementation of the planned measures. In particular, there is significant need for improvement to actually achieve the goals of the law.

Reactions from Industry Associations

The associations demand a more comprehensive consideration of the needs of companies in the telecommunications sector. BREKO, the Federal Association of Broadband Communication, emphasizes that the framework conditions for fiber optic expansion need to be improved to promote investments. VATM, the Association of Telecommunications and Value-Added Service Providers, highlights that the competitiveness of providers must not be jeopardized.

Bitkom, the Digital Association of Germany, also calls for a clear strategy to promote digital expansion. The associations agree that while the amendment represents a step in the right direction, concrete measures are lacking to address the challenges in the area of infrastructure.

Content of the TKG Amendment

The TKG amendment provides, among other things, that approval procedures for the expansion of telecommunications infrastructures will be simplified. This is intended to help ensure that the expansion can proceed more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, new regulations to promote competition in the mobile sector are to be introduced.

Another central point of the amendment is the strengthening of consumer rights. The legislative change is intended to ensure that consumers have access to high-quality internet services and are transparently informed about the services offered. This could be particularly significant for rural areas, where expansion often lags behind urban regions.

The amendment will now be submitted to the Bundestag for further discussion. The federal government expects that the legislative change can come into effect later this year, provided that the legislative process proceeds swiftly. The implementation of the new regulations could thus begin as early as next year.

The discussion surrounding the TKG amendment shows how important the expansion of digital infrastructure is for Germany's economic development. The federal government has set the goal of providing nationwide gigabit networks by 2030. The amendment could be a crucial step in this direction.