The legal framework conditions are to be improved for the expansion of the mobile communications network in Hesse.

Two draft laws introduced this week show that the government and the opposition in the state parliament agree in principle on this.

Ewald Hetrodt

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung in Wiesbaden.

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The SPD's ideas were presented on Tuesday evening by the parliamentary group's digital policy spokesman, Bijan Kaffenberger.

He noted that two of the three districts with the worst mobile phone coverage in Germany are in Hesse, namely the Odenwald and the Werra-Meißner district.

In addition, there are an above-average number of “grey spots” with fewer than three networks on the Hessian map, Kaffenberger continues.

In a nationwide comparison, Hesse is in penultimate place here.

Digital Minister Kristina Sinemus (CDU) explains the white and gray spots on the Hessian map with the many forests and valleys in the state, said Kaffenberger.

But this topography is much more pronounced in countries like Thuringia and Bavaria.

The Federal Network Agency is considering the consequences for mobile operators

The backlog shows that the pact concluded between the digital minister and the various operators for the expansion of mobile communications has failed.

The Federal Network Agency is now considering the consequences for mobile network operators if they do not meet the coverage requirements.

But the federal states also have to make their contribution.

In order to accelerate and simplify network expansion, the SPD's draft law provides for changes to the state building code.

According to this, free-standing mobile phone masts can be erected outdoors up to a height of 20 meters without a permit.

According to this concept, mobile phone masts that are only temporarily erected can no longer be left in place for just three months, but for up to 48 months without a permit.

These changes enabled short-term improvements in cell phone reception and accelerated the construction of permanent masts, Kaffenberger said.

Because the sometimes long waiting times for approval were eliminated.

The projects are not practicable, said Digital Minister Kristina Sinemus (CDU).

It doesn't depend on heights of 20 meters, but on lower masts with higher performance.

They should be expanded more.

The minister also opposed the plan to tolerate temporary masts for up to 48 months and instead called for an extended erection period of 24 months.

It is also necessary to amend the building code.

In addition, the draft law of the government factions also envisages an amendment to the road law.

This should significantly reduce the prescribed distances between the antenna systems and streets and properties in the outside area.

In this way, more locations suitable for mobile communications could be made usable.

In addition, the acceptance of the owners of the individual plots is increased.

Because the area required for the antenna systems will be reduced.