In the sphere of digital infrastructure, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is active in various areas and represents German interests in Brussels, primarily on the Council of the European Union. The Council configuration mainly responsible for this is Telecommunications (in German).

In the sphere of EU legislation, the BMDV, together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, negotiated the European Electronic Communications Code* in the Council of the European Union. The Code is currently being transposed into national law by the Telecommunications Modernization Act (in German).

In addition, the BMDV is responsible domestically for the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (Directive 2014/61/EC) (in German), the revision of which has been announced by the European Commission. The Directive contains measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks.

Finally, the BMDV develops substantive positions on the provisions governing State aid in the broadband sector, especially on the ongoing revision of the Guidelines for the application of State aid rules in relation to the rapid deployment of broadband networks. The purpose of the EU Guidelines on State aid for broadband deployment from 2013 is to promote the deployment of high-speed, competitive telecommunications infrastructure. The aim is to accelerate the deployment of very high-speed broadband infrastructures across the whole of Europe. State aid is designed to support the network roll-out if the mechanisms of the market are not able by themselves to ensure provision of the necessary network infrastructures. The provisions governing State aid have to be updated with regard to the trends on a dynamic market and adapted to new strategic objectives of the EU for shaping the digital future of Europe.

In addition, the BMDV represents German interests relating to digital infrastructure on various bodies:

• Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG)
• Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC)
• Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2 Digital) Telecom Expert Group

and in the

• Connectivity Special Group (co-chair), which maintains the “Digital Connectivity Toolbox” (in German)

In addition, the BMDV participates in discussions concerning digital infrastructure on the

• EU Communications Committee (COCOM)

* Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast) (OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, p. 36).