Broadband connection

Broadband connection - A broadband connection is a high-speed internet connection that can be provided via various technologies, including fiber optics (FTTH/FTTB), cable (DOCSIS), DSL (VDSL/Vectoring), or mobile networks (5G). The availability of a fast broadband connection is an increasingly important location and value factor for real estate. Since the Telecommunications Act (TKG) 2021, tenants have a right to fiber-optic expansion, which landlords must allow under certain conditions.

Technologies and Speeds

• Fiber Optics (FTTH - Fiber to the Home): Fiber-optic cables extending into the home, speeds up to 10 Gbit/s, the most future-proof technology
• Fiber Optics (FTTB - Fiber to the Building): Fiber-optic cables to the building’s connection point, last-mile via copper cable - up to 1 Gbit/s
• VDSL / Vectoring: Copper cable-based, up to 250 Mbit/s download speed - widely used, but technologically limited
• Cable (DOCSIS 3.1): Via TV cable network, up to 1 Gbit/s download speed - speed may fluctuate during periods of high traffic
• 5G mobile: Wireless alternative, up to 1 Gbps - dependent on network coverage and load

Impact on property value

A fast broadband connection - especially fiber-optic - measurably increases property value. Studies show a price premium of 2-5% for properties with fiber-optic connections compared to comparable properties without. For home office users, families with multiple devices, and business owners, a high-performance internet connection is now a must-have when searching for a home. For commercial properties, broadband connectivity is often a deal-breaker-IT companies, creative service providers, and financial service providers take fast, stable internet for granted.

Fiber-Optic Expansion in Nuremberg

The City of Nuremberg and the Nürnberger Land district are actively driving fiber-optic expansion forward with various partners. Telekom, M-net, and regional providers are gradually expanding the fiber-optic network. In the urban area of Nuremberg, fiber-optic coverage is now good in many neighborhoods-especially in commercial areas such as the port or the Südstadtgürtel. However, there are still coverage gaps in outlying areas and the rural regions of the surrounding Franconian countryside, which are being closed through funding programs from the federal government and the Free State of Bavaria.

Broadband Technologies Compared

Technology	Max. Download	Max. Upload	Latency	Future-proof	Typical Cost/Month
Fiber-optic FTTH	up to 10 Gbps	up to 10 Gbps	< 5 ms	Very high	€30-60
Fiber FTTB	up to 1 Gbps	up to 500 Mbps	< 5 ms	High	€30-55
Cable DOCSIS 3.1	up to 1 Gbps	up to 50 Mbps	10-20 ms	Medium	€25-50
VDSL Vectoring	up to 250 Mbit/s	up to 40 Mbit/s	15-30 ms	Low	€25-45
5G Mobile (Home)	up to 1 Gbit/s	up to 200 Mbit/s	10-30 ms	Medium (network-dependent)	€35-60
Satellite (Starlink)	50-200 Mbit/s	10-30 Mbit/s	20-40 ms	Medium	€40-60 (+ hardware)

Practical Tip for Homeowners in Nuremberg and Franconia

We recommend that homeowners in the Nuremberg metropolitan area check broadband availability at their location using the federal government’s Broadband Atlas and participate early in fiber-optic expansion initiatives (such as those by Telekom or local providers like M-net). The free home connection is often only offered during the expansion phase-those who want to retrofit the connection later will pay 500-2,000 euros. Landlords should list the existing broadband connection in the property listing-“Fiber optic available” is a strong selling point. For apartment buildings, it’s worth connecting the entire building to fiber-optic internet and optimizing costs through the home connection subsidy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the landlord have to allow a fiber-optic connection?

Yes, since the TKG 2021, the tenant has a right to tolerance vis-à-vis the landlord if a telecommunications provider wishes to install fiber-optic cables in the building. The landlord can only refuse consent for good cause-for example, if the building already has an equivalent connection or if the construction work unreasonably impairs the building’s structure. In practice, a cooperative solution between the landlord and the telecommunications provider is usually more advantageous than a confrontation-after all, the landlord benefits from the increased value of their building.

Can I pass on the costs of a broadband connection to tenants?

As of July 1, 2024, the so-called utility cost privilege for cable TV fees has been abolished-cable fees may no longer be passed on as operating costs. Telecommunications costs (internet, telephone) are generally not passable-on operating costs. The costs for a fiber-optic home connection can be passed on to the rent on a pro-rata basis as a modernization measure (up to 8% of the investment costs annually). However, this modernization-related rent increase is subject to strict conditions and notice periods.

How do I find out what bandwidth is available at my location?

The Broadband Atlas of the Federal Network Agency shows the available technologies and speeds by address. In addition, the major providers (Telekom, Vodafone, M-net) offer availability checks on their websites. For an exact assessment, we recommend contacting the desired provider directly. For new construction projects, the fiber-optic home connection should be integrated into the construction work from the start-retroactive installation is more expensive and technically more complex.

What practical steps can owners of multi-family homes in Nuremberg take to connect their building to fiber optics?

For owners of multi-family homes, we recommend a structured approach: First, check the availability of a fiber-optic connection at the specific location using the Federal Network Agency’s Broadband Atlas or by contacting M-net and Telekom directly. If an expansion phase is underway in the area, registering the building during the active expansion phase is free or available at significantly reduced rates-afterward, the cost for a single-building connection can range from 1,000 to 3,000 euros. Laying the fiber-optic cable inside the building from the building entry point to the individual apartments (known as in-building cabling) is an additional measure that can be estimated at a flat rate of 200 to 500 euros per residential unit for multi-family buildings. This investment can be apportioned to the rent as a modernization measure and significantly increases the building’s value and marketability. In a condominium association, such a measure requires a resolution by the owners’ meeting; since the 2020 condominium reform, a simple majority is sufficient for measures to digitize the building.

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