Jena/Berlin, 21.11.2023 – At the 16th Digital Summit of the Federal Government, WIK-Consult and PwC today published key points and a meta-study on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV), on the basis of which recommendations for action for a sustainable fiber optic expansion are to be developed. The Bundesverband Breitbandkommunikation e.V. (BREKO) comments on these publications as follows:

“BREKO welcomes the BMDV’s initiative to develop recommendations for action for sustainable fiber optic and mobile expansion together with industry and to support companies in implementing effective sustainability measures. The key points and the meta-study are an important first step towards sustainable fiber-optic and mobile expansion. Nevertheless, BREKO expects the recommendations for action that are now to be developed to include truly concrete measures in order to make the best possible use of the sustainability potential.

It is positive that the key points identify the transition from copper to fiber optic networks as an important field of action, as the sustainability effects of fiber optic networks will only be fully felt when existing copper-based infrastructures are shut down. In order to ensure that this “copper-to-glass migration” is swift and in line with competition, a clear regulatory framework is needed that prevents Telekom, as a market-dominant company, from only shutting down its copper network where it has built fiber optic networks itself.

Unfortunately, one important element for sustainable network expansion is completely missing from the key points and is only mentioned in passing in the meta-study: open access. However, open network access can make a significant contribution to avoiding duplicate expansion of fiber optic networks and thus conserve resources. Open access is currently gaining increasing acceptance in the German market and should also be included as an important measure in the recommendations for action.

Also not yet explicitly included in the key points is one of the most important measures to minimize the not inconsiderable environmental impact of the civil engineering work required for fibre optic expansion: A significantly greater use of modern laying methods such as trenching, milling, ploughing and drilling can make fiber optic expansion much faster and more resource-efficient. The standardization of some of these methods in DIN 18220 was an important first step. However, the decisive factor now is the application in administrative practice on site and should therefore be included in the recommendations for action.

We expect the telecommunications industry to be closely involved in the subsequent development of the recommendations for action for sustainable fiber optic and mobile expansion so that they can fully develop their potential in practice in order to achieve the joint sustainability goals of politics and business.”