08 Juni From Alignment to Acceleration: VATM Supports the MoU “Best Network for Germany”
Berlin, 8 June 2026.With today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “Best Network for Germany” by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation, the federal states, municipal umbrella organisations, telecommunications companies and industry associations, a shared framework has been established to support the continued rollout of high-performance digital infrastructure. VATM expressly supports and will actively accompany this process.
“The Memorandum of Understanding sends a strong signal: all stakeholders are taking responsibility for the continued expansion of digital infrastructure,” said VATM President Valentina Daiber. “The focus must now be on effective cooperation between policymakers, public authorities and the telecommunications sector. Germany can only join the leading group of countries with high-performance networks if approval procedures become faster, processes simpler and the regulatory framework more reliable.”
According to Daiber, the industry made it very clear during the intensive drafting phase that it is committed to playing its part. “Telecommunications companies are investing heavily and are keen to continue expanding their networks. They are driving fibre broadband and mobile network rollout through significant investment, expertise and commitment. To ensure that these investments translate into new fibre connections and improved mobile coverage, the right conditions must now be put in place,” she said. “Accelerated and digitised permitting procedures, reduced bureaucracy, harmonised processes and greater planning certainty are key enablers.”
From VATM’s perspective, it is particularly important that the MoU establishes a permanent forum for dialogue between the federal government, the federal states, local authorities, the Federal Network Agency and the telecommunications industry. Progress should be made transparent and existing barriers to network deployment addressed jointly. “The crucial factor will be ensuring that the agreed objectives deliver tangible results on the ground rather than remaining commitments on paper,” Daiber emphasised. The federal states and local authorities, in particular, have a key role to play in reducing unnecessary administrative requirements. Commitments made under the Federal-State Pact must finally be implemented.
VATM also welcomes the fact that Open Access is recognised within the MoU as a key component of successful fibre broadband deployment. Open and non-discriminatory access to networks improves utilisation of existing infrastructure, strengthens competition and service choice, and can help reduce investment risk.
“Germany needs high-performance networks, fair competition and the most effective possible use of existing infrastructure,” Daiber concluded. “The MoU sets important priorities in this regard. The task now is to translate these shared ambitions into measurable progress. VATM will continue to support the process constructively.”
