The federal government supports the expansion of fiber-optic/broadband networks—so-called gigabit networks—in areas where market-driven expansion is not taking place. In order to access the funding provided for this purpose, various requirements must be met and conditions must be fulfilled.
In this context, special considerations regarding network structure and sizing, the construction process, and documentation must be taken into account, as must ongoing operations and the end-user products to be marketed.
We are the right partner for every aspect of subsidized broadband projects, guiding you safely through the maze of regulations and special considerations and ensuring the successful drawdown of funding.
We’re here to support you with the following tasks:
- Partner Management and Maintenance
- Know-how Development
- Tendering for Framework Agreements & Call-Offs
Advice on how to submit the most successful application possible to participate in calls for proposals for subsidized broadband expansion projects. This applies to both operator models and cost-effectiveness gap models.
- Consulting on participating in calls for proposals for subsidized broadband expansion projects.
- Identifying the most important award criteria used by the contracting authority to evaluate bids
- Identifying operational capabilities to maximize compliance with the evaluation criteria of the tenders
- Consulting on submitting bids for open access
- Optimizing bid content
- Taking into account the tender conditions for end-customer products
- Funding Disbursements
- Escalation Authority
- Contact with the funding agency & district
- Controlling
- Planning (in compliance with funding requirements) in accordance with the standardized materials concept and the specifications for the sizing of passive infrastructure as part of the funded fiber-optic network expansion
- Construction supervision and/or construction management
- Construction inspections
- Escalation authority
- Surveying & Alignment
- Easements
- Decisions on Compensation
- Acquisition of Land & Properties
- Negotiation of Permission Agreements/Easements
- Documentation in Compliance with GIS Supplementary Provisions
- Implementation/Support for Grant Applications
- Co-installation
- Coordination of construction projects for our own trades
- IT
- Which tools are best suited for which areas
- Needs Analysis: Determining how many households and businesses are to be served, and what bandwidths are required.
- Topological Planning: Selection of network architecture (e.g., FTTH/FTTB, point-to-point vs. GPON).
- Technology Selection: Passive network technology (fiber type, splitter configurations) and active network technology (OLT/ONT).
- Eligibility Assessment: Comparison with federal and state funding programs (e.g., white or gray spots, economic viability gap).
- Economic feasibility analysis: CAPEX vs. OPEX, potential refinancing through end customers.
- Scalability & Future-Proofing: Design the network so that future needs can be met without significant additional costs.
- Site selection: POP locations, equipment rooms, and their economic viability.
- Installation concept: Civil engineering options (microtrenching, HDD, traditional civil engineering) and a comparison of their cost-effectiveness.
- Determining Route Lengths: How Many Kilometers of Civil Engineering Work Are Required?
- Cable and Pipe Quantities: Sizing of pipe assemblies, number and length of cables.
- Manholes & Distribution Points: Number and location of joints, cable distribution points, network distribution points, and POP locations.
- Building connections: How many connections are needed, and what are the distances from the sidewalk to the building?
- Construction method breakdown: What percentage involves traditional civil engineering, what percentage involves drilling, and what percentage involves trenching?
- Material requirements: Costs for cables, microtubes, manholes, enclosures, and active equipment.
- Set unit prices: €/m of route, €/house connection, €/POP, €/manhole, etc.
- Calculate investment totals: The result is a reliable cost estimate (CAPEX) for feasibility studies and grant applications.
