Germany – Telephone and data transmission services – Vergabe von Netzpacht- und Netzbetriebsverträgen zum Betrieb eines gigabitfähigen Breitbandnetzes im Ortenaukreis (Phase 4) im Rahmen des sog. Betreibermodell

The Ortenaukreis, along with 47 municipalities, has set itself the goal of jointly constructing an NGA network in the underserved areas of their territories and ensuring its permanent operation. To this end, the Breitband Ortenau GmbH & Co. KG (BOKG) was established, which is to act as the infrastructure provider for its shareholder municipalities. In 2019/2020, the BOKG conducted an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory procedure for the awarding of a service concession (operator model) for the lease and operation of a passive NGA network/infrastructure yet to be constructed as part of the so-called "White Spots Programme" under the directive "Promotion to support the expansion of broadband in the Federal Republic of Germany." The expansion in Phase 1, according to this funding scheme, related to areas that had previously been connected with a data rate of less than 30 MBit/s download. The expansion of this first phase is largely completed. Now, the expansion of Phases 2 to 5 will follow. The BOKG is conducting the procedures for awarding network lease and network operation contracts for the comprehensive broadband expansion in the operator model for Phases 2 to 5 partially in parallel. The subject of this procedure is the expansion of Phase 4. Within this framework, the BOKG intends to construct a gigabit-capable network for the previously underserved addresses in the municipalities listed below, according to the expansion areas defined in more detail in the Phase 4 Service Description, based on a technical plan that is still to be finalised, and to use the requested funding for the planning and construction. Planning and construction services are not the subject of this tender. The BOKG's expansion target is to ensure comprehensive NGA coverage in the municipalities listed below and to provide the still underserved addresses with a data rate of at least 1 Gbit/s symmetrically under peak load conditions. The award will be made in the following lots, and a bid can be submitted for one, several, or all lots: Lot 4.1 Cluster 1 (Oberharmersbach, Mühlenbach, Schuttertal, Oberkirch, Oberwolfach, Ettenheim); Lot 4.2 Cluster 2 (Nordrach, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, Hornberg, Wolfach, Hausach); Lot 4.3 Cluster 3 (Gutach, Fischerbach, Hofstetten, Steinach, Seelbach); Lot 4.4 Cluster 4 (Ottenhöfen, Oppenau, Biberach, Hohberg); Lot 4.5 Cluster 10 (Durbach). Further reference is made to the tender documents.