Bonn/Berlin, 09.04.2021 Germany’s third-largest energy supplier is also entering the fiber optic expansion market outside of its home market of Baden-Württemberg. EnBW’s goal is to invest a significant amount in new growth areas by 2025, including telecommunications in particular.

EnBW’s nationwide fiber optic expansion is being carried out by the two telecommunications subsidiaries NetCom BW and Plusnet. While NetCom BW will continue to expand its strong regional market position in its home market of Baden-Württemberg, Plusnet will drive growth in the rest of Germany.

Cologne-based Plusnet invests in supra-regional fiber optic expansion

Following the completion of its integration into the EnBW Group, Cologne-based Plusnet GmbH is pressing ahead with its expansion as a provider of modern broadband networks under the EnBW flag. In the coming years, the company will increasingly invest in the construction of its own fiber optic infrastructures nationwide. Plusnet already serves more than 25,000 medium-sized business customers throughout Germany and operates gigabit-capable broadband networks for municipal utilities and the housing industry. In future, the company will tackle the expansion of its own and subsidized networks as well as the marketing of its own fiber optic networks to buildings and homes for commercial and private customers. Plusnet is thus further developing its existing business model as a nationwide fiber-optic company. The first commercial areas are to be developed in the course of the year.

NetCom BW strengthens the fiber optic network on its own account

The EnBW Group subsidiary NetCom BW is stepping up its expansion as a provider of fiber optic networks in Baden-Württemberg and neighbouring Bavaria. In the coming years, the Ellwangen-based company plans to invest even more in the expansion and construction of fiber optic infrastructures. As one of the largest fiber optic providers in Baden-Württemberg, NetCom BW already operates its own fiber optic network of over 16,600 km for private and business customers. In the future, the company, which is currently primarily active in subsidized municipal fiber optic expansion, will drive this forward with additional investments of its own in Baden-Württemberg and in neighboring regions of Bavaria.

Rapid development of the fiber optic market

BREKO Executive Committee member Bernhard Palm, previously CEO of both NetCom BW and Plusnet, will once again concentrate fully on his duties as sole Managing Director of NetCom BW with immediate effect. He had successfully integrated Plusnet into the EnBW Group and successfully positioned it in the telecommunications market. Commenting on the listed group’s plans for fiber optic expansion, he says: “The coronavirus crisis has once again made us aware of the need for high-performance digital infrastructure. If our society is to be fit for the future, we need nationwide fiber optic coverage – especially in rural areas. This is a challenge for politicians, but above all for local authorities and companies. There is immense potential here for the coming years. And this is precisely where we come in – as a strong and reliable local partner.”

BREKO Managing Director Dr. Stephan Albers is pleased about EnBW’s clear focus on fiber optic expansion: “The great willingness of our members to invest underlines how strongly fiber optic expansion has picked up speed. More and more companies and institutional investors are opting for genuine fiber optic expansion right into buildings. This shows how much potential this business model has and the rapid development we can look forward to.”