Copper-fiber migration

With the ongoing expansion of fiber optic networks and the marketing of fiber optic connections, the continued operation of the copper network will become unprofitable for Telekom in the long term. It therefore has an interest in shutting down the copper network – at least where it has rolled out fiber optics itself. This process has already been initiated in other European countries. For BREKO member companies, it is crucial that the shutdown process is not limited to Telekom’s fiber expansion areas, while alternative providers continue to operate the copper network with vectoring in similarly well-developed region. BREKO therefore advocates a non-discriminatory copper switch-off in which the expansion areas of competitors are treated according to the same standards as Telekom’s expansion areas.

FAQ

The copper network will not be switched off all at once, but gradually. We anticipate that the first switch-off notifications from Telekom could take place this year (2025). The first pilot projects have already been carried out.

That is not certain. The right to initiate shutdown notifications lies exclusively with Telekom, which is likely to have little interest in forcibly shutting down the copper network in the expansion areas of its competitors. Therefore, BREKO advocates with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), ministries, and policymakers to ensure a non-discriminatory shutdown practice.

It makes sense for the shutdown units to be based on the network being decommissioned, rather than primarily on geographic or administrative boundaries (e.g., municipal divisions). Therefore, the shutdown will likely take place on a KVz basis, although multiple KVz units can be included in a single shutdown request..

Telekom must notify the BNetzA of any planned decommissioning of parts of its copper network 12 months in advance. Among other things, the notification must include a concrete migration schedule as well as information on the migration conditions (especially wholesale products). BREKO will advocate for the migration schedule and process for the planned shutdown area to be clearly defined and binding, ensuring that all parties involved have the necessary planning certainty. For the actual migration, a period of 18 to 24 months after the completion of the procedure with BNetzA is assumed, meaning that the entire migration process in a shutdown area could take 2.5 to 3 years.

Documents

Konzeptpapier: Kupfer-Glasfaser-Migration 2024-10-31 Download (339 KB)

Your contact persons

Benedikt Kind

Leiter Recht und Regulierungsgrundsätze

Benedikt Kind
Henrik Harings

Leiter Regulierungsverfahren & Justiziariat

Henrik Harings