June 2025
The roll-out of the fibre-optic network in Carinthia’s rural regions is progressing. In the market town of Köttmannsdorf, the 2025 construction programme was presented in collaboration with Provincial Councillor Sebastian Schuschnig and Kelag.
As the final region covered by the federal government’s first Broadband Billion programme (BBA2020), the Gailtal Lavamünd project, encompassing seven municipalities, will be completed by the end of the first half of 2025.
We are currently in the process of implementing the projects from Call 1 of the second Broadband Billion programme (BBA2030). Construction has already begun in all 40 municipalities across the five project regions covered by BBA2030.
The following regions are included:
| Lavanttal | Gurktal | Kärnten Süd Hochobir | Kärnten Süd Hochstuhl | Lieser Maltatal 2 |
| 6 Municipalities | 9 Municipalities | 9 Municipalities | 11 Municipalities | 5 Municipalities |
Through the collaboration between BIK, as a public body, and KELAG, as a private-sector investor (the ‘public-private partnership model’), a high level of coverage can be achieved in rural communities, such as in Köttmannsdorf, where coverage stands at 94 %. Across the entire project region of Southern Carinthia Hochstuhl, coverage of 96 per cent is achieved.
It is of paramount importance for the future that fibre-optic roll-out takes place in rural areas today. It lays the foundations for future-proof jobs, digital education, telemedicine and equal participation in social and economic life.
Despite budgetary challenges, investment in fibre-optic roll-out is essential, as only with modern digital infrastructure can competitiveness be maintained and rural areas remain attractive as places to work, live and do business.
