Mobile network expansion in Jena to be accelerated
The city of Jena and the Telekom subsidiary DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH are working together on the expansion of mobile communications. To this end, the city and DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH have signed a framework agreement. The aim is to speed up the expansion of mobile networks. Jena is one of the first cities with this cooperation model in Germany.
The city makes its properties and existing infrastructure such as buildings or lampposts available as areas for antenna masts. This shortens the often lengthy search for suitable mobile phone sites and the 4G and 5G networks can be expanded more quickly.
Christian Gerlitz, Mayor and Head of the Department for Urban Development and Environment: "The framework agreement makes an important contribution to providing a state-of-the-art, future-proof infrastructure as a technological basis for advancing digitalization in the city of Jena. As a high-tech and science location and home to around 140 digital companies, we as a city have a special responsibility to further promote the digital transformation locally and to create good conditions for a modern supply of mobile services."
Benjamin Koppe, the City of Jena's Head of Digitalization: "It is in the interests of the City of Jena to offer public infrastructure as possible locations for shared use in order to make the expansion of mobile communications future-proof and efficient. We welcome Deutsche Funkturm GmbH's approach of making platforms available to all mobile network providers on a non-discriminatory basis. In this way, it can be ensured that expansion takes place in line with demand without each mobile communications company pursuing individual plans and unnecessary redundancies occurring. The city of Jena's major digital projects, such as the 'Smart City Project' and the '5G Traffic Networking' project, will also benefit from this."
Bruno Jacobfeuerborn, Managing Director of Deutsche Funkturm: "We are delighted to be driving forward the development of future-proof mobile communications coverage in Jena in cooperation with the city. In doing so, we are jointly creating the basis for the 5G expansion. The demand for mobile data is growing rapidly. The use of municipal properties will help to ensure that mobile network expansion keeps pace with customer needs."
In Germany, it takes an average of around two years for a new mobile phone mast to go into operation. Part of this time is spent searching for a suitable location. In Jena, this is now much quicker thanks to the partnership. By making its properties and other infrastructure available for expansion, Deutsche Funkturm can find suitable areas for rooftop sites or free-standing masts more quickly.
Deutsche Funkturm builds the mobile communications infrastructure on behalf of Deutsche Telekom and offers its masts to all network operators, so that the partnership supports non-discriminatory mobile communications expansion. Alongside Dresden, Saarbrücken and Chemnitz, Jena is one of the first cities in Germany to implement the cooperation model for joint mobile network expansion.
Press photo: from left to right: Meike Stockbrügger (DFMG, Virtual Portfolio Management), Christian Gerlitz (Mayor and Head of Department for Urban Development and Environment), Benjamin Koppe (Head of Department for Finance, Security and Citizen Services), Peer Kollecker (DFMG, Head of Virtual Portfolio Management and Large Sites)
About DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH
Deutsche Funkturm builds and operates infrastructures for German mobile communications providers and broadcasters as well as for the radio networks of public authorities and other institutions. The company is part of the Deutsche Telekom Group and operates a portfolio of around 32,800 radio sites.
Press photos and further information: www.dfmg.de/presse
Press contact:
DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH
Press spokesman Benedikt Albers
E-mail: presse@dfmg.de