Broadband expansion

Shaping the digital future

We are all becoming increasingly digital. New services and technologies are permeating almost every aspect of daily life and economic activity. New opportunities are emerging for social interaction and collaboration, social participation and economic success. The foundation for this lies in high-performance broadband networks, which must be available to private households, social institutions and businesses.

In Bocholt, the availability of gigabit-capable connections (>= 1,000 Mbit/s, including cable TV) stands at approximately 81 per cent (as of December 2025); current data can be found in the Federal Government's Gigabit Register. To further improve this figure, various measures are being taken, either at the telecommunications companies' own expense or through funding schemes.

Subsidised broadband expansion

For telecommunications companies, the roll-out of fibre-optic networks in rural areas is often unprofitable, as the roll-out costs are out of proportion to the expected revenue. To bridge this so-called 'profitability gap', the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia offer various funding programmes. The funding rate is typically 80 or 90 per cent. The remaining portion must be covered by the local authorities' own funds. The town of Bocholt is taking advantage of this opportunity to gradually roll out comprehensive broadband coverage.

Between 2019 and 2021, around 1,000 households were able to benefit from a subsidised broadband connection.

To enable further private households and businesses to access a subsidised broadband connection, a funding application was submitted in 2022 under the so-called 'grey spots' scheme. Further information on this ongoing project can be found in the section on the 'grey spots' scheme in the city of Bocholt.

Most recently, at the start of 2024, primary schools in Bocholt received a subsidised broadband connection. The project was implemented in close cooperation between the City of Bocholt and stadtwerker GmbH (formerly Bocholter Energie- und Wasserversorgung GmbH). All schools run by the City of Bocholt now have a gigabit-capable fibre-optic connection, which is essential for digital connectivity in everyday school life.

Self-financed broadband expansion in the city of Bocholt

In addition to the subsidised expansion, telecommunications companies may build broadband infrastructure at their own expense.

The city of Bocholt is currently aware of one specific expansion project. stadtwerker GmbH (formerly Bocholter Energie- und Wasserversorgung GmbH) is upgrading the telecommunications network within the city limits to a modern fibre-optic network, self-financing the project.

Further information on this project and to check whether your connection is included can be found on the "faserfreunde" website. An address-specific availability check is available there.

An overview of the areas that have already been connected and are therefore gigabit-capable can also be found in the downloads section.