Investment in Digitalization in Saarland: Ministry of Economic Affairs Allocates € 7.5 Million for Fibre Optics, 14 Municipalities to receive Benefits
The Saarland's Ministry of Economy is investing €7.5 million to expand fiber optic networks in 14 municipalities, a move aimed at strengthening local infrastructure in response to growing demand for high-speed internet in businesses, schools, and households.
The Saarland Gigabit strategy, which targets these 14 municipalities for funding and development, is part of a broader effort to drive the expansion of networks nationwide. The strategy aims to provide comprehensive Gigabit supply across the region, ensuring that remote residential and business buildings have access to fast internet.
The exact list of the 14 municipalities receiving funding and specific project details have not been explicitly disclosed in the available search results. However, the official Saarland state government or Ministry of Economics websites, regional broadband funding programs under Germany’s GigaNetz initiative, and press releases from Saarland municipal offices or local digital infrastructure agencies are likely to provide the most authoritative information.
The funding secures an additional €13.7 million in federal funding due to the Saarland's supplementation of the federal Gigabit funding 2.0. This additional funding will further boost the expansion program, ensuring that more municipalities can benefit from the high-speed broadband infrastructure.
The Broadband Office Saar at the eGo-Saar association, financed by the Ministry of Economy, offers free advice to municipalities on the planning and implementation of funding measures. Digital Minister Jürgen Barke personally handed over funding decisions for the expansion, emphasizing that fast internet is now part of the basic supply, like electricity or water, and that the goal is digital participation for all in the Saarland, both in towns and the countryside.
The total funding rate for many municipalities is up to 97.5 percent, allowing smaller or financially weaker municipalities to participate in the expansion program. The Ministry of Economy works closely with the cities and communities to support them in the expansion of fiber optic networks.
Here is a list of the 14 municipalities and their respective funding amounts:
- Mandelbachtal: €630,000
- Oberthal: €192,500
- Spiesen-Elversberg: €55,000
- Weiskirchen: €110,000
- Merchweiler: €192,500
- Tholey: €910,000
- Losheim am See: €1,330,000
- Überherrn: €765,000
- Wadern: €315,000
- Beckingen: €1,017,500
- Freisen: €765,000
- Ensdorf: €212,500
- Bous: €280,000
- Namborn: €674,000
The Saarland's continued investment in digital infrastructure is a testament to its commitment to driving economic growth and supporting digital transformation in the region.
Technology and finance intertwine as the Saarland's Ministry of Economy leverages €7.5 million in investment to implement advanced fiber optic networks across 14 selected municipalities. This expansion aims to provide these areas with high-speed internet, a move initiated to fulfill the demands of businesses, schools, and households, and to support the Saarland Gigabit strategy. The strategy, in turn, is part of a larger national effort to promote nationwide network expansion, with the goal of achieving comprehensive Gigabit connectivity.
