Germany – Internet service providers ISP – NEUKIRCHEN VORM WALD-Gigabit-RL 2.0 (2025) - Auswahlverfahren einer Dienstleistungskonzession im Wirtschaftlichkeitslückenmodell für die Planung, Errichtung und den Betrieb eines Gigabit-Netzes

Negotiated procedure with participation competition in accordance with § 12 KonzVgV in conjunction with § 14 para. 2, para. 3 no. 2, no. 3 VgV, § 119 para. 5 GWB (two-stage negotiated procedure) to determine a network operator for the planning, construction and operation of a Gigabit network in the cost-effectiveness gap model in the advertised expansion areas in accordance with the directive "Promotion to support the expansion of telecommunications networks with gigabit capability in the Federal Republic of Germany" of 31.03.2023 in the version of the 2nd amendment of 13.01.2025 (hereinafter "Gigabit-RL 2.0"). The essential basis of the procedure are the "Framework regulation of the Federal Republic of Germany for the support of the nationwide expansion of gigabit networks" of 01.08.2024 (hereinafter "Gigabit-RR 2.0"), the directive "Promotion to support the expansion of telecommunications networks with gigabit capability in the Federal Republic of Germany" of 31.03.2023 in the version of the 2nd amendment of 13.01.2025 (hereinafter Gigabit-RL 2.0) and the communication from the European Union "Guidelines for state aid for the promotion of broadband networks" of 31.01.2023 (2023/C 36/01). The advertised addresses of the development area are, according to the result of the market survey, subsidizable underserved addresses within the meaning of the Gigabit-RL 2.0. For this reason, a Gigabit network is to be established there on the basis of this selection procedure as a technology-neutral network designation (network with a broadband supply of at least 1 Gbit/s symmetrically under peak load conditions for all end users of the advertised addresses) in the underserved areas, whereby the up- and download rates must at least double. Reference is made additionally to the specifications of the "B-Performance Description" incl. its annexes. The grantor classifies the advertised "Contract for the transfer of grants within the framework of the gigabit expansion in the municipality of Neukirchen vorm Wald for the purpose of planning, construction and operation of a gigabit-capable broadband network in the cost-effectiveness gap model according to the directive "Promotion to support the expansion of telecommunications networks with gigabit capability in the Federal Republic of Germany - Federal Gigabit Directive 2.0 (Gigabit-RL 2.0)" as a service concession within the meaning of § 105 para. 1 no. 2 GWB. The grantor thereby transfers to the concessionaire the task of providing the population with gigabit connections, which is incumbent on it as a matter of public welfare, the concessionaire obtaining the right of use of the Gigabit network and receiving the remuneration for its activity primarily through the fees of the end customers, while the grantor merely grants a subsidy to cover the cost-effectiveness gap that may be shown, which does not preclude a service concession under § 105 para. 1 no. 2 GWB. The focus of the concessionaire's activity is on the service of operating the broadband network for a period of at least seven years. The grantor further classifies the Gigabit network to be planned, constructed and operated as a "public communications network" within the meaning of the exemption in § 149 no. 8 GWB, so that the 4th part of the GWB does not apply. To the extent that the documents of the selection procedure refer to standards of the 4th part of the GWB, this does not constitute a claim to their applicability.