The district of Märkisch-Oderland receives €61.2 million in federal funding for broadband expansion

On 15.01.2025, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, presented the funding decisions to the representatives of the district of Märkisch-Oderland, Alderman Rainer Schinkel, Broadband Commissioner Danny Wollank and Andy Janke (SB Broadband) in Berlin.

While the 8 expansion projects from the "Weiße-Flecken-Programm" are nearing completion, the district of Märkisch-Oderland has submitted further applications for funding as part of the call for funding in accordance with the federal guideline "Promotion to support the gigabit expansion of telecommunications networks in the Federal Republic of Germany" (Gigabit-RL2.0) in order to finally provide all households in the district with high-quality broadband connections.

Rainer Schinkel explains: "The aim of the district is to provide nationwide coverage with high-performance broadband infrastructure. The federal funding we have now received is the next step. With a total of over €300 million, the broadband development supported by federal and state funds is by far the largest project in the district and an essential step towards making our district fit for the future, but also a major feat both financially and in terms of the expansion itself. Whether for companies, institutions, schools or for many residents, whether in rural areas or close to Berlin, the broadband connection is indispensable and a decisive location factor."

A total of 93.6 million has been budgeted for the upcoming expansion. The state of Brandenburg is co-financing the project with 30.2 million and the district of Märkisch-Oderland is covering its own contribution of 2.2 million for all participating municipalities. The current funding program covers the development of 13,617 address points, which were identified as part of an industry dialogue and market exploration process.

The next step is the EU-wide tender for the network expansion. The actual expansion work is expected to begin in the 4th quarter of 2026.

"This should provide all households and companies in the district of Märkisch-Oderland with at least 300 Mbit/s for download and 150 Mbit/s for upload following the completion of the Weiße-Flecken program, the announced self-service developments and the current funding program. A total of 51,800 address points will then have been supplied directly and indirectly with a subsidized fibre optic connection," explained broadband commissioner Danny Wollank