Funding was provided for the roll-out of fibre-optic connections to properties in industrial estates that had not yet been connected, in all towns and parishes that had instructed the district to submit an application for the special call for proposals for industrial estates.

Rolling out the network in eligible areas was not economically viable for the companies. To compensate for this, a subsidy – known as the ‘profitability gap’ – was made available to the company carrying out the roll-out. The size of this profitability gap is determined through a formal tender process: the contract was awarded to the company requiring the smallest subsidy to carry out the roll-out in accordance with minimum quality standards.

That was one of the eligibility criteria: only commercial and industrial sites, as well as special areas designated for ports in the land-use plan, were eligible for funding.

We are also working on a solution for the other areas that have not yet been connected. Our aim is to roll out fibre-optic coverage across the board to as many businesses and residents as possible.

Although the areas in question consisted exclusively of commercial premises, there were also private households in the development zones: site managers’ flats or, for historical reasons, residential buildings. These were also eligible for a subsidised connection.

Either all commercial sites in the relevant local authority area had already been connected, or the number of unconnected properties is so small that the local authority has decided to connect these properties, along with other properties in outlying areas, as part of the forthcoming ‘grey spots’ funding scheme.

You should arrange for the property connection and, if necessary, a retail supply contract directly with the contractor carrying out the work. Their contact details can be found in the project overview for your local authority.

No! As part of the scheme, providers are obliged to install a connection to your property free of charge. To do this, you must sign a relevant authorisation agreement with the provider during the marketing phase and give your consent to the installation.

Whether you wish to use this connection to access the internet, telephone services or other services from the provider is entirely up to you and is by no means compulsory. If you decide against this, a so-called passive connection will be installed in your home. If you wish to use this connection at a later date, it can then be activated easily and without any further building work.

You are guaranteed to receive your property connection free of charge if you arrange it during the marketing phase. You can find out when this phase runs by checking the detailed information about the project in your local area.

Some providers organise a so-called ‘final round’ towards the end of the project, giving everyone who has missed out so far another chance to connect. However, there is no guarantee of this. So: it’s best to act quickly and get on board right from the start!

If you do not arrange for a home connection, the fibre-optic cable intended for you will be laid up to the boundary of your property and the connection point prepared up to that point. This is known as ‘Homes Passed’ provision. Should you decide at a later date that you do want a home connection, it can be laid directly from the boundary of your property.

Please note: Once the promotional campaign for this has ended, no further subsidies will be available and the provider may charge you for the costs.

The federal government covers 50% of the costs and the state 40%. The remaining 10% is borne by the towns and local authorities. For local authorities with limited financial resources, the state covers the entire 10% share. The Steinfurt district authority is responsible for managing the projects, including the application process, on behalf of its local authorities.