Funding for Next Generation Access Broadband Expansion in Saxony-Anhalt (NGA-RL LSA)

This funding program is aimed at municipalities and municipal associations in Saxony-Anhalt. It aims to provide comprehensive coverage of underserved areas with high-performance broadband networks to strengthen the competitiveness of businesses and increase the attractiveness of rural and commercial locations. This includes private households, teleworkers, municipal administrations, and schools.

The program promotes investments in the construction and operation of NGA broadband infrastructures to close economic viability gaps for private operators. This includes both the expansion of empty ducts with fiber optic cables and civil engineering works, as well as the co-laying of empty ducts during other excavation works. In addition, feasibility studies and planning services are supported to efficiently prepare and implement projects.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant to cover the recipient's expenses. The funding amount can be up to 90 percent of the eligible expenses, with a maximum limit of 10 million Euros for investment projects and 100,000 Euros for feasibility studies. Planning services are limited to 10 percent of the total expenses. The commitment period for the funded infrastructure is seven years.

Funding is tied to various conditions, including proof of market failure and adherence to transparent selection procedures for network operators. Specific technical bandwidth requirements must be met, and open and non-discriminatory access to the funded infrastructures at the wholesale level must be ensured. Furthermore, EU state aid regulations and procurement rules must be observed.

The application for funding must be submitted to Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt before the start of the project. There are fixed application deadlines (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 of a year). The procedure includes the examination of applications according to specific selection criteria and a subsequent approval within the framework of available budget funds.

The funding is based on the Guideline on the Granting of Subsidies for the Promotion of Next Generation Access Broadband Expansion in Saxony-Anhalt (NGA-RL LSA). It is embedded in a complex web of EU and national legal provisions, as well as other guidelines and regulations.