Bonn/Montabaur, 09.03.2020
The German Broadband Association (BREKO) and 1&1 Versatel today agreed on a long-term cooperation for further fiber optic expansion and 5G expansion in Germany. This involves 1&1 Versatel leasing existing or newly constructed fiber optic networks to connect mobile phone masts.
With the agreement in the form of a framework contract, BREKO and 1&1 Versatel want to make the best possible use of synergies in fiber optic expansion for mobile phone expansion. Like 1&1 Versatel, the more than 200 telecommunications network operators organized in BREKO have fiber optic networks in large parts of Germany and will continue to make a significant contribution to fiber optic expansion in the coming years and thus also to achieving the German government’s gigabit targets. The connection of mobile communications stations to fiber optic networks is an essential prerequisite for exploiting the potential of the new 5G mobile communications standard.
Claus Beck, Chief Technology Officer 1&1 Versatel:
“Thanks to the cooperation with BREKO and its members, the planning of the 5G mobile network of our sister company 1&1 Drillisch is gaining further momentum. 1&1 Versatel provides fiber optic connections within the Group and can now connect 5G antennas in even more cities. Thanks to the cooperation with BREKO, 1&1 Drillisch’s 5G network will not only cover metropolitan areas in the first expansion phase, but will also be available in regions that were previously underserved. The regional network operators can expand their portfolio and customers will have access to state-of-the-art technology – this partnership is exemplary and shows how we can accelerate the digitalization of Germany.”
BREKO Managing Director Dr. Stephan Albers explains:
“The expansion of fiber optics in Germany is booming. This is also underlined by our cooperation with 1&1 Versatel, which makes one thing very clear: An indispensable basis for 5G expansion is and remains a fiber optic connection to the transmission masts. Our member companies are building fiber optic networks throughout Germany and are therefore also ideal partners for mobile network operators. The framework agreement enables our members to also use their infrastructure to connect mobile base stations without having to conduct lengthy negotiations. This is a win-win situation for all companies involved and for the expansion of fiber optics and mobile communications in Germany.”
The cooperation underlines the fact that there is a functioning market for the fiber optic connection of mobile communications sites. The companies implementing fibre-optic projects have a great interest in ensuring that newly emerging fibre-optic networks and existing fibre-optic connections are used to connect mobile phone masts and are therefore even better utilized.
In order to accelerate the expansion of fiber optics, the framework agreement that BREKO Einkaufsgemeinschaft, as the commercial platform of BREKO, has concluded with 1&1 Versatel is designed in such a way that 1&1 Versatel can sublet the fiber optic connections to interested companies without restriction.
With the framework agreement, the BREKO network operators receive a negotiated model contract on the basis of which they can offer 1&1 Versatel their fiber optic infrastructure for the development of mobile masts.
The contract is available exclusively via the BREKO purchasing association for network operators.

BREKO/1&1 Versatel press release: Working together for fiber optic and 5G expansion in Germany
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