"A very important step towards creating the necessary conditions for the implementation of the Digital Pact for Schools," says Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel.

The administration was aware that the current average Internet speed would not cover the schools' expected future requirements. When the federal government's special call for schools and hospitals to support broadband expansion was published at the beginning of July, the city applied for funding on the condition that the council would provide its own funds of 500,000 euros.

These federal funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that the earlier the application is received, the greater the chances of approval. On October 23, a provisional grant notification for up to 1.15 million euros was received by the town hall from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

The total costs for the modern connection of all schools are expected to amount to almost 2.3 million euros. Half of these costs can now be covered by federal funding, while the remaining half will be covered by the state funding still to be applied for and the city's own contribution.

The council will decide on the provision of the city's own contribution at the November meeting. A broadband connection for schools of over one gigabit per second is the declared goal.

Klingebiel: "A clear sign that, despite the many other challenges, we are continuing to work consistently on the goal of developing Salzgitter into a child and family-friendly learning city."

With the provisional approval of the funds, the city will now press ahead with the invitation to tender and the awarding of contracts to the telecommunications companies.