Right to fast internet - committee agrees
The so-called right to fast internet is expected to be strengthened. The Digital Committee of the Bundestag approved a report from the Federal Network Agency, according to which all households in Germany will supposedly have to receive at least 15 Megabits per second in download speed and thus five Megabits more than before. The upload speed is supposed to triple to five Megabits - this could enable stable connections for video conferences.
However, it will still take some time until this is the case. First, the Network Agency needs to change a regulation, then it needs to obtain approval again from the Digital Committee of the Bundestag and the consent of the Bundesrat. The new rules could come into effect from December.
From then on, households that receive poor fixed-network internet could refer to this strengthened right of claim and possibly force a better connection. According to the Federal Network Agency, 2.2 million addresses in Germany have fixed-network internet below the new minimum levels. However, the valid right of claim, which is called the "Minimum Requirements for the Right to Supply with Telecommunications Services" and is also known as the "Right to Fast Internet," is not relevant for most households in cities because they have significantly better internet than the minimum requirements specified in the right of claim.
The Digital Committee of Bundestag will need to review and approve the changes to the regulation, ensuring compliance with the minimum level of 15 Megabits per second for download speed and 5 Megabits for upload speed on the Internet, as suggested by the Federal Network Agency's report. Failure to meet these minimum levels could potentially lead to legal action by affected households, given the strengthened rights to fast internet.
