Mentions of BREKO in the media in the period from January 27 to March 14, 2025 in chronological order:

“Exemplary throughout Germany”
The four so-called LLLT municipalities of Lengerich, Lienen, Ladbergen and Tecklenburg received an interesting award on Thursday: The mayors Wilhelm Möhrke from Lengerich, Stefan Streit from Tecklenburg, Torsten Buller from Ladbergen and Arne Strietelmeier from Lienen as well as Lengerich’s municipal utilities managing director Ralf Becker had been invited to Bonn by the German Broadband Association (Breko) to be honored as so-called “digital politicians”. Westfälische Nachrichten (25.1.)

Network operators resist new rules
Five years are not enough. That’s how long people have been arguing about what is probably the most important decision in German mobile communications this decade – the renewal of radio licenses that the three network operators once bought at auction in 2000 and which would actually expire at the end of 2025. The central question: How will competition and prices develop for customers? RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (via Kieler Nachrichten, 27.1.)

Federal government launches gigabit funding 2025
On January 23, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) launched a new call for funding, this year’s “Gigabit Funding 2.0”. This came as a surprise, as the launch was not due to take place until after the election on February 23. The funding calls comprise a budget of 1.2 billion euros. Cable!vision

Criticism from all sides of the network agency’s “guard rails”
With its proposed guard rails for negotiations between service providers and network operators on the German mobile telecommunications market, the Federal Network Agency wants to ensure more competition and settle the dispute over market access. However, the proposed compromise has hardly any support on either side. Tagesspiegel Background Digitalization & AI

Mobile operators are now arguing “like tinkers”
The planned extension of wireless licenses is escalating into a fierce dispute between network operators and service providers. The regulatory authority wants to introduce additional rules to promote competition. However, both sides reject the proposals for different reasons. Editorial Network Germany

Deutsche Giganetz defends itself against ruling on contract duration
A court’s ruling on the duration of contracts was significant for the fiber optic industry. Now the Federal Court of Justice must decide. Golem.de

Federal Network Agency confirms router freedom against attacks
All telco associations and Vodafone have tried to overturn the router freedom in fiber optic networks. They did not succeed. But in practice they are continuing. Golem.de

Telekom technology boss: “We won’t simply switch off DSL”
Telekom technology boss Abdu Mudesir has commented on the upcoming DSL switch-off in a Q&A session. Teltarif.de

Ten thousand customers connected to the network
Another milestone has been reached for broadband supply in the Schwarzwald-Baar district: the broadband supply association and network operator Stiegeler are jointly celebrating the ten thousandth customer on the district’s high-speed network. Black Forest Messenger

Dual expansion: associations call for proceedings against Telekom
The long-standing dispute surrounding the “strategic superstructure” on the German fiber optic market is entering the next round: the industry associations Breko and VATM have written to the Federal Network Agency calling on it to initiate market abuse proceedings against Deutsche Telekom. Otherwise, they are threatening to lodge a complaint with the EU Commission. Tagesspiegel Background Digitalization & AI

Telekom’s competitors want the BNetzA to intervene
The Federal Network Agency should not wait any longer, but initiate abuse proceedings against Telekom, industry associations are demanding. Golem.de

Broadband association celebrates its 10,000th customer in the district
Another milestone has been reached for broadband supply in the district: the Schwarzwald-Baar broadband supply association and network operator Stiegeler jointly celebrated the 10,000th customer in the district’s high-speed network, according to a press release. Südkurier

Fiber optics: Competitors demand consequences for Telekom’s overbuilding
Telekom is abusing its dominant market position by overbuilding others’ fiber optic networks, competitors complain – and see it as the regulator’s turn. heise online

Mobile communications: Cartel office calls for corrections to frequency extension plan
Germany’s Federal Cartel Office is pushing for real obligations for mobile network operators in return for an extension of their frequency usage rights. heise online

Homes Passed at last, but the wait goes on
Telekom and other network operators are counting on households being equipped with Homes Passed. But customers still have to wait until FTTH arrives. Golem.de

Defeat for Vodafone and co: No fiber optic router obligation possible
Telco associations and Vodafone were concerned about router freedom in fiber optic networks. However, the Federal Network Agency has finally ruled in favor of users. Consumer associations and Telekom will be pleased. Digital television

“Real fiber-optic municipality”: Emsland district, towns, joint municipalities and communities awarded
With around 109,000 fiber-optic connections at around 120,000 addresses, the Emsland district is currently one of the top regions in Germany. With regard to the municipalities in Emsland, this means that fiber optic expansion is well advanced in every town, municipality and joint municipality. To honor this “outstanding commitment to the expansion of a sustainable fiber optic infrastructure in Emsland” – as District Administrator Marc-André Burgdorf says – several municipalities and the district of Emsland have been awarded the “Real Fiber Optic Municipality” seal by the German Broadband Communications Association (BREKO). Blog News Media

Fiber optic company honors VG boss
The chairman of the Münchenbernsdorf administrative community, Lars Langethal, has been able to call himself a digital politician since the end of January. The German Broadband Association (BREKO) and the company Unsere Grüne Glasfaser (UGG) have announced this. Ostthüringer Zeitung (10.2.)

JENKE. REPORT. Construction site Germany Who is repairing our country?
Interview with BREKO capital city office manager Sven Knapp from minute 80. ProSieben on joyn

New roadmap: Which regulations the new EU Commission will collect
In order to drive forward digitalization and the reduction of bureaucracy, CDU parliamentary group leader Dennis Thering has proposed a separate senatorial post. The CDU leader candidate for the parliamentary elections on March 2 told the German Press Agency that the CDU wants to create a separate digital ministry at federal level so that the topic finally becomes a priority. heise online

Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs: Vouchers for fiber optic households rather unsuitable
A study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs thinks little of vouchers for households. The associations disagree. Golem.de

Fibre optic expansion: industry reacts ambivalently to voucher study
In a report for the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs (BMDV), the consulting firm WIK Consult came to the conclusion that state vouchers are less suitable for increasing demand for fiber optics in Germany (Tagesspiegel Background reported). Now that the ministry has published the study, the industry is reacting skeptically. Tagesspiegel Background Digitalization & AI

Positions of the German Broadband Association: Gigabit funding and mobile frequencies
In January, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport launched this year’s call for gigabit funding. Sven Knapp, Head of the Capital Office at the German Broadband Association
Breitbandkommunikation e.V., commented: “The fact that the BMDV is publishing the call for gigabit funding as early as possible in the year is understandable, but also fraught with considerable uncertainty in view of the provisional budget management that is expected to continue for many months to come.” Bayrische Gemeinde Zeitung (13.2.)

Glass Fiber Forum NRW 2025 once again a great success
Under the title “Shaping progress – new challenges in fiber optic expansion”, MICUS, BREKO and con|energy hosted this year’s Glass Fiber Forum NRW at Messe Essen as part of E-world energy & water. FinancialNews

Vouchers for customers: Incentive for higher demand for fiber optic connections Fiber optic connections have demand problems. Although expansion is progressing, (too) few households are switching to the infrastructure. Industry associations such as Breko and VATM are therefore calling for a voucher system in which fiber optic customers receive vouchers when they activate a connection. ComputerBase

Too few Homes Connected for FTTH in Germany
A survey of broadband coordinators provides new insights into the expansion status in Germany. Homes Passed too rarely become Homes Connected. Golem.de

Farewell to copper
The days of DSL connections are numbered. In as little as eight years, they could be switched off across Germany and replaced by fiber optic connections. But there is still a lot to do before then. c’t

fiberdays 25 – premiere in Frankfurt and new topics
fiberdays 25 will take place at Messe Frankfurt for the first time on 2 and 3 April 2025 and will offer around 60 percent more exhibition space. Over 250 national and international exhibitors will be presenting products and services relating to fiber optic expansion, AI solutions and sustainable infrastructures. Cable!vision

Impetus for the further expansion of fibre optics on fiberdays 25
The industry association BREKO emphasizes that the expansion of fibre optics is progressing in the municipalities. But what is the overall status of fiber optic expansion targets and digital progress in Germany? Community meeting point

Deutsche Telekom CEO on vectoring: “Competitors are stealing our customer lines”
Deutsche Telekom can no longer market its copper lines as successfully as before. This was stated by Group CEO Tim Höttges and CFO Christian Illek when announcing the financial results on February 26, 2025. Golem.de

DSL switch-off launched in Germany: The dawn of a new era
If fiber optics are available everywhere, there will be no need to operate a separate copper network for DSL. The switch-off of DSL could begin on a larger scale from 2030. However, the first DSL contracts have already been terminated by the provider. Chip

Easier access to fibre optic expansion
In a digitalized world, the expansion of fibre optic networks is of great importance for economic and social development. The networks form the backbone of modern communication systems and enable progress in networked industry, digital trade and education. connect.professional

Award for major project in Tecklenburger Land
80 million euros were spent in four municipalities. Lengerich, Ladbergen, Lienen, Tecklenburg and Teutel received awards for their joint large-scale fiber optic project. Westfälische Nachrichten (28.2.)

New wholesale partner for planned network in Düsseldorf
Metrofibre has gained a new wholesale partner for its fiber optic expansion project in Düsseldorf. Cable!vision

Expansion of the fiber optic network is being driven forward
Oberursel. The city is now pushing ahead with the further comprehensive expansion of the fiber optic network in the city area. “This step is necessary to ensure that the city is well positioned for the demands of digitalization in the world of work and private life.” taunus news

Fiber optic connection: Fewer white spots in Remscheid
Remscheid is one step closer to comprehensive access to high-speed Internet: Work on the funding project to develop locations with a download speed of less than 30 Mbit per second has been completed. Rheinische Post

Fiber optic, cable and DSL: How much more expensive is a fiber optic connection?
Fiber optics is the Internet access of the hour, but sales figures are struggling. ComputerBase

Deutsche Telekom boss wants Doge for Europe
Tim Höttges is annoyed by the many regulators. The Deutsche Telekom boss wants to cut jobs in authorities like in the USA under Trump. Golem.de

Special infrastructure fund: IT and digital industry calls for investment
The CDU/CSU and SPD are planning a special infrastructure fund of 500 billion euros. The German IT and digital industry also wants a slice of the pie. heise online

Network operators hope for 500 billion special fund
A major German telco is hopeful about the special fund. The fiber optic operators would rather have less bureaucracy than more money. Golem.de

What remains of the Special Fund for Digital?
The Bundesverband Breitbandkommunikation (Breko), which primarily represents companies that are expanding fiber optics, also believes that the planned special fund will create financial leeway, but will not solve the structural problems that are hampering the expansion of fiber optics. Tagesspiegel Background Digitalization & AI

Netceed presents solutions for fiber optic expansion [with fiberdays]
Netceed, provider of solutions for the telecommunications and broadband industry, will be at Fiberdays 2025, which is taking place in Frankfurt am Main for the first time on 2 and 3 April 2025. Netceed will be presenting innovative solutions for fiber optic expansion at stand F9 in hall 3.1 at Messe Frankfurt. Cable!vision

Gigabit funding: More and more federal states are returning funding decisions
The funding for high-speed Internet is facing a billion-euro wave. And more and more funding decisions are being returned. heise online

Freedom of choice of end devices for fiber optic networks: Network operators file an objection
Network operators continue to insist that the free choice of terminal equipment for fiber optics only applies behind their modem. They are lodging an objection against the regulator. heise online

Telco associations want to continue to undermine the freedom of end devices
Breko, Anga, Buglas and Vatm want to continue to install their own fiber optic modem (ONT) for customers. This was prohibited by the Federal Network Agency. Golem.de

Applications for fiber optic funding are often withdrawn
A large number of applications for fiber optic funding are approved – and then withdrawn. A major industry association explains why this is the case. Golem.de

Splicing championship Fibercup and fiber optic expansion
Netceed is on April 2 and 3, 2025 at the Breko Fiberdays 2025 in Frankfurt am Main. Elektro.net

Fiber optic router freedom now in danger after all?
The dispute over the freedom of terminal devices on fiber optic connections seemed to have been settled. But now the telco associations want to fight back and undermine router freedom after all. Digital television

Huge sum: 230 million euros invested
Oschersleben, Wanzleben and six other municipalities in the Börde receive the
award as a “genuine fiber optic municipality”. What has been achieved in broadband expansion. Magdeburger Volksstimme (14.3.)

We need concrete actions instead of grand visions
In order to really make progress with the expansion of digital infrastructure, we need concrete actions instead of grand visions in the parties’ future coalition agreement. Sven Knapp, Head of the Breko Capital Office, calls on the parties to finally create the right framework conditions for the industry. Tagesspiegel Background Digitalization & AI

Fiber optic expansion: Once the reputation is ruined – interest diffuses
In principle, fiber optic expansion in Germany is progressing quite well. But some of the shots are clearly missing the mark. ARD and ZDF aren’t the only ones making sense of this. VDI News (14.3.)