Bonn, 19.04.2024 Today, Friday, the German Broadband Association (BREKO) celebrates its 25th anniversary. With 487 member companies, including 248 network operators, and teams in Bonn, Berlin and Brussels, the association is a strong network and the central voice for fibre optic expansion and digitalization. Today more than ever, this voice is needed to achieve the common goal: the nationwide expansion of fiber optics throughout Germany.

Founded in Bonn in 1999 as the “Federal Association of Regional and Local Telecommunications Companies”, BREKO had around 50 member companies when it was renamed the “Federal Association for Broadband Communication” in 2005. Since then, not only has the number of members increased tenfold. The topics of the association’s work have also changed considerably: Today, no one doubts the necessity of nationwide fiber optic networks. Instead of “whether”, the debate is about “how” fiber optic expansion can best be advanced. In addition to improving the political and regulatory framework, the association sees fair competition in the telecommunications market in particular as the key to success.

In addition, BREKO went beyond traditional association work in 2010 with the founding of the BREKO Purchasing Association and in 2015 with the founding of the BREKO Service Company, offering its members an even stronger network and additional services within the BREKO network.

Homogeneity as a strength

The company of the BREKO President has been part of the association since its foundation: Norbert Westfal, CEO of EWE TEL: “25 years of BREKO stand for 25 years of successful competition in the telecommunications market and customer-oriented, forward-looking development. BREKO’s strong growth in membership proves its attractiveness and strength. Our approximately 500 member companies are united by the fact that, as drivers of digitalization in Germany, we are investing billions in a sustainable fiber optic infrastructure and are committed to fair competition for all market participants on a daily basis. Because only through fair competition is it possible to bring everyone in Germany into the gigabit society. We are the voice for this.”

Committed members

The member companies have played a significant role in the success of the association, emphasizes Dr. Stephan Albers, Managing Director of BREKO for almost 15 years: “An association is only as strong as its members. On this anniversary, I would like to thank all our members for their great commitment to the association’s work – in our four working groups, ten national groups, numerous project groups as well as on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. This great cooperation and a great team in our three offices motivate me every day to continue fighting for our great common goal: 100% fiber optic coverage for Germany.”

Three highlights in the year of the association’s 25th anniversary

An internal association birthday celebration will take place on June 3, 2024 as part of a joint meeting of all BREKO working groups in Bonn. After this “family celebration”, the entire telecommunications community from business, politics, administration, science, media and civil society is invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the association together at the BREKO Annual Conference on November 28, 2024 in Berlin. The anniversary year will conclude with Fiberdays 25 on April 2 and 3, 2025 at Messe Frankfurt.