Gray spots

Fiber optic expansion

• Information on the funding project

  "Grey spots" funding program
  
  By submitting an application for the expansion of the subsidized broadband network, it was possible to secure funding of up to 31 million euros.
  The federal government is funding 50 percent of the project costs. Further funding will be provided by the state of Lower Saxony, meaning that 25% of the expansion costs will ultimately be charged to the municipal budget.
  
  The funded fiber optic expansion in the so-called "grey areas" is an important project for improving the digital infrastructure in Wolfsburg. "Gray spots" are areas in which the internet supply does not offer a reliable data rate of at least 100 Mbit/s download.
  
  Here you can find more information on the funding program and on the topic of fiber optic expansion:
  

  • Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization - Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization
  • Project sponsor aconium GmbH
  • Gigabit office of the federal government
  • Broadband atlas
  • BMV - Broadband promotion
  • Breitbandzentrum Niedersachsen Bremen advises on broadband, fiber optics, mobile communications
  • Fiber optics in Wolfsburg | Availability, connection and tariffs | WOBCOM
• Expansion areas "gray spots"

  After a market exploration procedure was carried out, an address list of almost 6,000 addresses was identified that were eligible for the "gray areas" funding project. As a result of the progress of the roll-out in the city of Wolfsburg, this address list has now been reduced to around 3,000 addresses to be expanded. The planned subsidized expansion of the remaining addresses in the districts of Brackstedt, Velstove, Wendschott, Allerpark, Kästorf, Warmenau, Vorsfelde, Reislingen, Hehlingen, Barnstorf, Heiligendorf, Hattorf, Ehmen and Sülfeld, which meet the subsidy conditions, as well as the currently planned roll-out of some sub-areas by Wobcom GmbH, should close the gap for nationwide fibre optic coverage in Wolfsburg.
  
  For the expansion of the subsidized addresses, the areas are divided into two construction lots.
  
  Your cooperation is required: It is best to decide on a fiber optic connection now, because if the fiber optic network is expanded in your address area, the house can usually be connected with little effort.
  If you decide on a connection at a later date, the effort involved in a subsequent individual connection will be much greater and you will incur additional costs
  

• Current project status

  Current status of preparations

  The expansion project is currently in the planning and preparation phase. This includes the detailed planning of the expansion areas and coordination with other responsible authorities and the future network operator, as well as obtaining the necessary approvals. The aim is a coordinated approach in order to make the process efficient.
  
  During the planning and preparation phase, preparations are also made for the awarding of construction contracts.
  The EU-wide tendering procedure for the construction work is currently published and has not yet been completed.
  

  What are the next steps?

  As soon as the awarding of the construction work can be completed, the contracts will be awarded to the construction companies.
  This will then be accompanied by the finalization of the schedule and sequence for the construction work.
  
  The residents affected will be informed in good time about the main steps and dates for the planned construction work.
  During the construction phase, there may be some short-term disruptions to road traffic or access to properties. We ask for your understanding. The construction company working on site will endeavor to keep such effects to a minimum.
  
  Further information and details on the project will be provided on an ongoing basis.
  

• Latest news

  10.02.2025
  High completion rate in the "gray areas" enables comprehensive fiber optic coverage in Wolfsburg

  Following successful pre-marketing and a high completion rate in the "gray areas", the city of Wolfsburg and WOBCOM GmbH are implementing the G funded by the federal and state of Lower Saxony funding program. This expansion will close the last gaps and Wolfsburg will achieve nationwide fiber optic coverage.
  
  By the end of the deadline at the end of December 2024, a total of 83% of building owners in the aforementioned localities will have opted for a free fiber optic connection.
  Even those with last-minute decisions should still actively contact Wobcom to secure a subsidized connection. This is because the effort involved in setting up a subsequent individual connection is much greater and therefore involves additional costs.
  

  29.10.2024
  Important milestone reached in fiber optic supply

  The city of Wolfsburg is setting another milestone in the expansion of its fiber optic infrastructure. As part of the "Grey Spots" funding program, gaps in the fibre optic supply are being closed. This applies in particular to areas in which it has not been possible to roll out the infrastructure on a self-supporting basis to date: Barnstorf, Waldhof, Hehlingen, parts of Wendschott, Velstove and Brackstedt. The Wolfsburg City Council will make a final decision on the construction costs of around 45.3 million euros at its meeting on November 13.
  
  "The expansion of the fiber optic infrastructure is of enormous importance for the future viability of our city. Wolfsburg is one of the pioneers in Germany and will soon achieve the goal of nationwide coverage thanks to the commitment of all those involved," emphasizes Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann.
  "We are proud to provide Wolfsburg with state-of-the-art infrastructure and believe we are well on the way to achieving this ambitious goal. Challenges such as Europe-wide tenders and funding requirements are being mastered consistently and on time in order to successfully drive the expansion forward," adds Jens Hofschröer, Head of Economic and Digital Affairs.
  
  With the expansion project, which is being implemented in cooperation with WOBCOM GmbH, the city is aiming to achieve nationwide fiber optic coverage. The city is responsible for planning and expanding the passive infrastructure, while WOBCOM GmbH operates the network and provides residents with high-speed internet. As a result of the successful private-sector expansion, the original funding scope was reduced from almost 6,000 to around 3,100 addresses, which led to a significant reduction in construction costs.
  
  Pre-marketing is currently running until November 30, during which households can secure a free fiber optic connection. All affected citizens are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and take a decisive step towards fast Internet access.
  
  The necessary home inspections are already taking place in parallel to the pre-marketing. These are being carried out by the planning office netzkontor nord GmbH on behalf of the city of Wolfsburg. During the house inspections, the individual connection options in the buildings are checked and the technical planning for the fiber optic connection is prepared.
  
  The city of Wolfsburg plans to invest around 25 percent of the total eligible costs as its own contribution to the expansion, subject to the final funding decisions by the federal and state governments. The overall costs could be further reduced by exploiting synergy potential, for example by sharing existing infrastructure.
  
  A solution has also been found for previously unresolved addresses. For example, 270 households in Wendschott-Sommerfeld are to be connected with fiber optics on their own once a pre-marketing quota of 40% has been reached. The funding for the so-called "gray spots" is aimed at residential and commercial addresses that are currently supplied with Internet speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s. As things stand, around 3,100 addresses in Wolfsburg could benefit from the subsidized fibre optic expansion. In principle, the proportion of available fiber optic connections in relation to the total number of all households and companies in Wolfsburg is already more than 90 percent. In February of this year, the city of Wolfsburg received the "Real fiber optic municipality" award for this.
  

  27.09.2024
  Fiber optic marketing in the "grey areas" is progressing

  Until 30 November 2024, the "Graue Flecken" funding program offers the possibility of a free fibre optic connection
  
  In June 2024, the city of Wolfsburg and WOBCOM launched fiber optic marketing for the "grey areas". Many residents have already opted for a fiber optic connection. But even those who have not yet decided should take the opportunity to get a free fiber optic connection now. The opportunity will no longer exist in this form. Older residents in particular, who do not need fiber optics themselves, should also think about increasing the value of their property.
  
  House inspections by the planning office netzkontor nord GmbH began in August. During this meeting, the construction of the fiber optic house connection is discussed together with the homeowners. The planning office proactively contacts all those who have already signed a fiber optic contract.
  The prerequisites for a free connection are that the residents decide on a fiber optic connection by November 30, 2024, sign and submit the property usage agreement and place a product order with WOBCOM. This is important as WOBCOM requires permission to develop the residential building or commercial unit on behalf of the city of Wolfsburg. Permission is granted by signing and submitting the fiber optic contract and the land use agreement to WOBCOM. Both can be done in person or online.
  

  06.08.2024
  Start of appointment allocation and inspections for the house connections

  Now that the planning phase for the planning of the fiber optic network in Wolfsburg has started, the announced appointments and personal inspections of the affected addresses that have ordered a fiber optic connection from Wobcom GmbH as part of the pre-marketing in the "Grauen Flecken" expansion project will begin on 12.08.2024, following on from the 360° image inspection that has already taken place.
  
  To this end, employees of the network planner, BIB TECH Netzkontor, will contact the affected residents to arrange the necessary house inspections. The house inspections will also be carried out by employees of BIB Tech Netzkontor.
  
  During this appointment, the construction situation is examined on site for the house connection management and possible suitable locations for the house transfer point and, if necessary, other devices are determined and recorded in a corresponding protocol so that everything can run smoothly during the subsequent construction and connection phase. It may also be necessary to take photos so that the installer can be sure later on what to look out for at the respective address on site.
  
  To avoid any uncertainties at the doorstep of the residents concerned, BIB Tech Netzkontor employees carry an appropriate ID card with them by which they can be recognized.
  

  29.05.2024
  The "Graue Flecken" funding program offers the possibility of a free fibre optic connection until 30 November 2024

  The city of Wolfsburg and WOBCOM GmbH are providing a free fiber optic connection for residents of the subsidized areas - the so-called "grey areas" - until 30 November 2024 as part of the federal and state of Lower Saxony funding program.
  The city of Wolfsburg is responsible for planning and expanding the passive infrastructure. WOBCOM will actively operate the network and provide residents with reliable and fast Internet bandwidth.
  
  The funding program will give residents of the Graue Flecken the unique opportunity to receive a free fibre optic connection from June to the end of November 2024. The prerequisites for a free connection are that the residents decide on a fiber optic connection by November 30, 2024, sign and submit the property usage agreement and place a product order with WOBCOM. This is important as WOBCOM requires permission to develop the residential building or commercial unit on behalf of the city of Wolfsburg. Permission is granted by signing and submitting the fiber optic contract and the land use agreement to WOBCOM. Both can be done in person or online.
  

  18.04.2024
  Fiber optic expansion in Wolfsburg: collaboration with network planner begins

  Following a Europe-wide tendering process, the planner of the fiber optic network in Wolfsburg as part of the "Graue Flecken" funding program of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport has been determined: BIB TECH GmbH will plan the fiber optic network in the future. The city of Wolfsburg, together with Wobcom GmbH as the future network operator and BIB Tech GmbH, are now starting the planning phase.
  
  "By commissioning the network planner, we are taking an important step forward in the nationwide supply of fiber optics in Wolfsburg and can now focus intensively on concrete planning and subsequent implementation. On this basis, the construction tendering phase will then begin so that the affected districts can receive concrete information about the expansion in a timely manner," says Jens Hofschröer, Head of Economic and Digital Affairs for the City of Wolfsburg.
  
  To kick off the planning phase, Eictronic GmbH has been commissioned by BIB Tech GmbH to carry out a 360° image survey of all routes in front of the houses to be connected as well as on the distant access roads in the affected districts. In addition to public roads, private roads may also be affected. The images taken then provide information about the type of surface paving and any existing road damage and are used exclusively for planning purposes as part of the expansion project. They may not be passed on or used for commercial purposes.
  
  The images provide an initial picture of the respective house connection of the fiber optic line to be installed and are used to prepare for the tendering of the civil engineering work and for the prompt rectification of any structural damage that may occur later. Following on from the 360° image inspection, it will be necessary at a later stage of the planning for BIB TECH GmbH to personally visit all affected addresses that have ordered a fiber optic connection from Wobcom GmbH as part of the pre-marketing for the "Grauen Flecken" expansion project. The planning company BIB TECH GmbH will make an appointment for this at the appropriate time.
  

  14.10.2023
  The city of Wolfsburg presents an operator for the future broadband network: Wobcom GmbH will operate the fiber optic network

  Following an intensive selection process, the future operator for the fiber optic network still to be built as part of the grey-spot funding has been determined. Wobcom GmbH will lease and operate the fiber optic network in future. The aim is to supply those areas in Wolfsburg that have not already been expanded and are supplied with a bandwidth of less than 100 Mbit/s. This mainly affects smaller districts of Wolfsburg. This mainly affects smaller districts of Wolfsburg such as Barnstorf, Hehlingen, Schleusensiedlung and Velstove.
  
  With the expansion, at least 2891 additional addresses can be supplied with a bandwidth of at least 1 gigabit/s at standard market prices. "The selection of the operator brings us a significant step closer to our goal of providing fiber optic coverage throughout Wolfsburg. With Wobcom, we have gained a reliable partner for this important task," said a delighted Mayor Dennis Weilmann.
  
  "With the broadband expansion, we are creating another decisive location factor for the people and institutions in Wolfsburg. We now need to draw up the infrastructure plan with a competent partner and start the construction phase," emphasizes Jens Hofschröer, the city's Head of Digital and Economic Affairs.
  
  A planning office is currently being selected in a Europe-wide tendering process, which will plan the future broadband network in close cooperation with the city of Wolfsburg and Wobcom.
  
  Once the planning has been completed and the final funding decision has been received, the construction measures for the network can be implemented in accordance with the funding provider's specifications.
  

  07.11.2022
  The second big step has been taken - City of Wolfsburg receives funding from the state of Lower Saxony for broadband expansion

  In the next step, the city of Wolfsburg will receive a commitment of up to EUR 13 million in funding from the state of Lower Saxony for the subsidized broadband expansion as part of the "Grey Spots" funding program.
  
  In order to ensure that the entire city area is supplied with high-speed Internet and thus strengthen the quality of life and competitiveness of Wolfsburg as a business location, the subsidized expansion of the fibre optic network is an enormously important building block alongside the private sector expansion. For this reason, the provisional funding decision regarding the approval of additional funding from the state of Lower Saxony, which State Secretary of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs Stefan Muhle presented to Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann today, is another significant milestone in the financing of the expansion of the approximately 5,900 addresses identified here in Wolfsburg.
  
  The funding decision from the federal government for the city of Wolfsburg for the provisional approval of up to 31 million euros has been received. This corresponds to 50% of the total costs that will be covered by the federal government for the infrastructure expansion. A further EUR 13 million will be covered by the provisional funding decision from the state of Lower Saxony. This means that the city of Wolfsburg will only have to bear the remaining 25% of the total costs.
  
  "The funding approval from the state of Lower Saxony is another important milestone for the fiber optic expansion in Wolfsburg. The funding will enable us to make further progress in providing the entire city area with high-speed Internet," said a delighted Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg.
  
  Now that both provisional funding commitments from the federal and state governments have been received, the city administration can press ahead with the expansion project. In accordance with the requirements of the funding program, these include awarding the lease for the fibre optic network to be built. The construction of the network can then be planned and implemented. In the course of the process, there may still be adjustments to the address areas currently eligible for funding.
  

  14.03.2022
  City of Wolfsburg receives funding for fiber optic expansion in the urban area

  The city of Wolfsburg today received approval for funding of up to EUR 31 million for the further expansion of broadband in the city area through the "Graue Flecken" funding program of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
  
  Providing Wolfsburg with high-speed Internet is a decisive factor for the quality of life and competitiveness of Wolfsburg as a business location. In addition to the private-sector expansion of the local fiber-optic network, the subsidized expansion of infrastructure is an important pillar in ensuring coverage for the entire city area.
  
  For this reason, the city of Wolfsburg took all steps to apply for funding for broadband expansion shortly after the "gray spots" funding guideline from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport was published. The number of approx. 5,900 addresses to be developed and the resulting investment volume of EUR 62 million were determined by means of a market survey. On this basis, a corresponding funding application was submitted to the federal government.
  
  The provisional funding decision for the city of Wolfsburg was delivered today by the responsible project sponsor, atene KOM. This means that 50% of the total costs for the expansion will be covered by the federal government. A further 25% can now be applied for from the state of Lower Saxony; these funds have already been promised by the Ministry of Economics. This means that only 25% of the total costs are to be borne by the city of Wolfsburg.
  
  "The funding approval from the federal government is a very important milestone for the further expansion of fiber optics in Wolfsburg. These funds give us the opportunity to make tangible progress in providing the entire city area with fast Internet," said a delighted Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg.
  
  With the delivery of the provisional decision, the city administration can now tackle the next steps. These include awarding the lease for the fiber optic network to be built in accordance with the requirements of the funding program. The construction of the network can then be planned and implemented. The city of Wolfsburg will keep the public regularly informed about the next steps.

  05.11.2021
  City of Wolfsburg applies for funding for fiber optic expansion

  The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure provides funding for local authorities to provide fiber optic coverage. The aim is to provide households with nationwide coverage with high-speed internet. As a basis for the application, the Department for Digitization and Economic Affairs has evaluated the broadband supply in the city area in recent months as part of a so-called market exploration procedure. The application for the expansion of the broadband network in Wolfsburg has now been submitted on this basis. The expansion of over 5,500 addresses, including in the districts of Brackstedt, Velstove, Wendschott, Hehlingen, Barnstorf and parts of Sülfeld and Vorsfelde, is planned for funding.
  
  "I am delighted that we have already been able to submit the funding application. The rapid infrastructural expansion and thus the availability of a high-performance Internet connection are an important basis for the quality of life and future viability of Wolfsburg as a business location," emphasizes Dennis Weilmann, Lord Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg.
  
  The documents submitted will now be reviewed by the funding provider as part of the application process. A provisional decision defining the funding area is expected at the beginning of 2022. 50% of the project costs will be funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Further funding is to be provided by the state of Lower Saxony. This would leave 25% of the expansion costs to be borne by the city of Wolfsburg.

• House connection management

  To ensure that everything runs smoothly during the construction and connection phase, an on-site appointment is required.
  The planning office (netzkontor nord GmbH) will first contact you to arrange an appointment for an on-site inspection.
  During the house connection inspection, everything important about the pipe routes, the construction situation on site and the possible location of the house transfer point is recorded in an inspection report. It may also be necessary to take photos so that the fitter can later be sure what to look out for at the respective address.
  This protocol serves documentation purposes and is an important basis for the subsequent building contractor.
  
  In order to avoid uncertainties at the doorstep, the employees of netzkontor nord GmbH carry an appropriate identification card with them, by which they can be recognized.
  

• Frequently asked questions

  What is the goal of the fiber optic expansion?

  The fiber optic expansion is intended to increase the attractiveness of the city for both citizens and companies. A high-performance internet connection is considered an important location factor that supports modern working methods, the everyday life of households and the path to a smart municipality. This expansion creates the basis for this.

  How is the expansion progressing?

  The expansion will take place in several phases. The work will be carried out in sections in order to keep disruption to a minimum. You will be informed in good time if work is planned in your street or area.

  How many connections does an address have?

  In principle, each eligible address receives one connection (even if several contracts have been concluded). For this connection, a corresponding number of optical fibers are provided for the specified residential units so that all residential units can be supplied via this one FTTB connection.

  Who takes care of the wiring in the house?

  The distribution of the signals within the building from the transfer point (APL) is the responsibility of the owner. Internal cabling or further installation in the building may be necessary. You can commission an electrical service provider of your choice for this.

  Why do I have to conclude a contract with Wobcom GmbH?

  The city of Wolfsburg is providing the passive infrastructure as part of the funded fiber optic expansion. Wobcom GmbH is the future network operator of this infrastructure. The City of Wolfsburg itself does not offer any products or tariffs.
  If you want to actively use a connection, you must choose a corresponding product from Wobcom GmbH.

  Why is my address not being expanded as part of the gray areas?

  Only underserved areas are eligible for funding.
  Areas are considered underserved in the context of gray areas funding if the Internet supply does not offer a reliable data rate of at least 100 Mbit/s in the download.
  A market exploration procedure had to be carried out in advance to define the underserved areas. The results of this market survey are binding for the city of Wolfsburg.

  Why does the subsidized fiber-optic expansion usually take longer than the self-built expansion?

  Before the subsidized fibre optic expansion can actually start, many additional requirements must be met in advance and sometimes very time-consuming and complex subsidy and public procurement regulations must be complied with and implemented.
  The subsidized expansion may only take place on a subordinate basis! In other words, it may only take place in areas where the company's own expansion fails (market failure). Therefore, even before the start of the expansion project, complex specifications and test procedures must be complied with, which play no role in the expansion of the free market economy. Telecommunications companies do not have to adhere to any subsidy regulations in the case of self-economic expansion; they are free to decide where, how and when they want to expand and are therefore much faster in implementing an expansion project.

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