Bundesrat gives consent: higher minimum bandwidth requirements
Year of issue 2024
Date of issue 2024.12.20
The German Bundesrat has today given its consent to an increase in the bandwidths required as part of the minimum supply of telecommunications services. The minimum download speed is being increased from 10 megabits per second to 15 mbps and the minimum upload speed from 1.7 mbps to 5 mbps.
"We update the minimum requirements on a regular basis. It is just like the minimum wage: most people have more, but no-one should have less. Even if it is a minimum level, it can still mean an improvement in internet and online services for private and professional users. The higher speeds will help promote digital participation in Germany,"
said Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur. "We will continue to critically review and adjust the requirements in the future."
In addition to one-person households, multi-person households in particular will benefit from the new minimum speeds as they offer higher performance and more flexibility – whether for video calls, online learning or using several devices at once. The monthly price for minimum supply will also rise to reflect the higher requirements. The new price will be about €35 per month.
Evaluation and review of minimum standards
The Bundesnetzagentur evaluated several expert reports in May 2024 and drew up its own report reviewing the minimum requirements for the supply of telecommunications services. The reports examined the performance of potential transmission technologies and assessed the actual situation as regards individuals’ social, economic and digital participation.
Based on the criteria laid down in law for setting minimum requirements, the Bundesnetzagentur ultimately recommended an increase in the parameters for fast internet access and drafted an amendment to the relevant ordinance. Both the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport and the Committee on Digital Affairs of the German Bundestag approved the proposed amendment. The Bundesnetzagentur will review the ongoing proceedings for enforcing minimum supply on the basis of the new requirements.
Right to be supplied with telecommunications services
As of December 2021 everyone has the right under the German Telecommunications Act (TKG) to be supplied with a minimum offer of voice communications and a fast internet access service for adequate social and economic participation. The Bundesnetzagentur reviews and evaluates the parameters for minimum supply on a regular basis. People without access to a minimum offer can turn to the Bundesnetzagentur.
Further information about the minimum supply of telecommunications services is available on the Bundesnetzagentur’s website at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/rasi (in German).