Which projects will be implemented in T-City? All of them?
As many projects as possible will be implemented. The main criteria are, of course, feasibility, benefits and financial aspects. All projects are expected to run autonomously in the medium-term.
Do the citizens of T-City have to use the products and services of Deutsche Telekom exclusively? What will happen with existing telephone, cell phone and Internet contracts with other providers?
Of course, the residents of T-City do not have to use Deutsche Telekom's services exclusively. That's not what we want or are allowed to do. The selection of Friedrichshafen as T-City will have no impact on existing contracts held by the city, citizens and companies. However, access to Deutsche Telekom's broadband infrastructure and corresponding technical equipment will be required for specific applications. Of course we would be delighted if we finally manage to convince a large number of customers to use our services and win them over. However, it's mainly all about developing and trying out future-oriented solutions based on partnerships to improve the quality of life and location.
Will all citizens have access to all offers? If not, what are the technical requirements? Is a VDSL line needed?
Whether citizens will have access to all offers will depend on the specific design of the project ideas. But the aim of the project is to provide unrestricted access to most offers and added values. There will be some content and offers that can only be accessed via broadband. But nobody has to equip themselves with the relevant technology. At first, there are usually only a few who are enthusiastic about the opportunities offered by new technologies - then others follow suit. For all those who cannot afford or do not want to have the technical equipment installed, there will be public access points in the city.
What does Deutsche Telekom expect from Friedrichshafen in return?
We are counting on a common desire to enhance the quality of life and the location and to turn this project into a real model project for other cities. For this we require the ongoing commitment of citizens, companies and institutions.
What are the specific obligations Friedrichshafen has to meet as T-City?
We have defined the general conditions of our partnership together with the municipal institutions and those involved in the T-City project. This includes regulations for the technical infrastructure and the definition of common objectives. We want consensus and partnership on equal terms - otherwise this project does not make sense for all those involved.
What costs will T-City incur?
This primarily depends on which project ideas the city and its project partners want to implement for their own benefit and which forms of cooperation they choose for this. The overall concept presented in the competition should be designed so that the relevant partners are able bear the ongoing costs after implementation. These are investments in the future development of the entire location as a place to live and do business. In any case, the taxpayer is only made to pay if the administration purchases external services. Whether offers by Deutsche Telekom will be given a chance in future is then primarily subject to the relevant award proceedings.
What are the benefits for the city compared to those under a normal invitation to tender?
Deutsche Telekom has now equipped Friedrichshafen with a state-of-the-art fixed-network and mobile communications broadband infrastructure. This means efficiency gains, synergies, advantages as a business location through networked innovations and an innovation push in the fields of education, economy, health, culture etc.
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