– Fiber optic networks consume up to seventeen times less power per bit rate than vectoring or super-vectoring networks

– Fibre optic networks are powerful, future-proof and sustainable and therefore an important foundation for digitalization and the achievement of climate and sustainability goals

– Digitalization and sustainability must be vigorously pursued
The coronavirus crisis is fundamentally changing the way we live, work and do business and poses major challenges for our country. However, it also shows the opportunities that digitalization offers. The benefits of digitalization have become tangible for many people, companies and in administration in recent weeks and months. Whether it’s working from home, home schooling, video conferencing or digital administrative services. It is now time to exploit these and many other potentials, also in terms of sustainable development in Germany and Europe. There can be no return to the status quo before the coronavirus crisis. The topics of digitalization and sustainability, which were at the top of the political agenda in Germany and Europe before corona, must now be pursued even more.
Genuine fibre optic networks (fibre to the home – FTTH) make an important contribution to greater climate protection and sustainability, as they also form the basis for advancing digitalization. This is confirmed by a recent report by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kristof Obermann from the Technical University of Central Hesse, which examined the sustainability of pure fiber optic networks and copper-based telecommunications networks (fiber to the curb – FTTC; VDSL2 vectoring, super vectoring). The focus of the study was on a comparative presentation of energy requirements during ongoing network operation. In terms of electricity consumption per bit rate, the report concludes that copper-based networks consume three to seventeen times more electricity than real fiber optic networks at an assumed utilization rate of 50% – 100%. With a Germany-wide supply of real fiber optic networks, up to 1100 megawatts (MW) of electrical power can be saved compared to copper-based networks. For comparison: Germany’s seventh-largest coal-fired power plant “Schwarze Pumpe” has an output of 1600 MW.
“Although we made some optimistic assumptions with regard to FTTC networks and very conservative ones for FTTH networks, FTTH networks are more sustainable than FTTC networks in every scenario (Germany-wide, urban and rural areas). The report also clearly shows that the higher the data rates increase, the greater the savings potential of fiber optics,” explains Prof. Dr. Kristof Obermann.

“The results of the report by the Technical University of Central Hesse confirm once again that the more than 200 BREKO network operators have set the right course with their clear focus on future-proof and now also scientifically confirmed sustainable fiber optic expansion. With every new fibre-optic network we build, we are paving the way to a sustainable digital future,” emphasizes BREKO Managing Director Dr. Stephan Albers.
BREKO has also taken a clear position on sustainability with the position paper “Fibre-optic networks and digital applications for sustainable development in Germany and Europe” published today and formulated concrete demands for politicians. Among other things, BREKO is calling for the launch of a European campaign on digitalization and sustainability as part of the German EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2020.
“If we are serious about the European Green Deal and the 2030 climate targets, we need to think about sustainability and digitalization together and link them more closely. Fibre-optic networks, which enable virtually unlimited data transport, are an important building block and the basis for the use of digital applications to optimize energy and resources. Politicians must recognize digitization using fibre optic networks as an important lever for achieving climate and sustainability goals and include it in their strategies,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Gerold Janssen from the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development in Dresden and member of the BREKO Advisory Board, who played a key role in the creation of the paper.