Bonn, 27.09.2024 – According to the latest market analysis by the German Broadband Association (BREKO), Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg are far ahead in the expansion of their digital infrastructure. BREKO provides the figures and explains the background.

Leader of the table again: Schleswig-Holstein is once again the federal state with the highest fiber optic connectivity this year. According to the BREKO Market Analysis 2024, the fiber optic expansion rate is 89% with 1.4 million fiber optic connections – by far the highest value in a nationwide comparison and an increase of 4 percentage points compared to the same period last year. The number of buildings and apartments actually connected – the fiber optic connection rate – is 52% as of mid-2024, also a peak value.

Jan Simons, Head of State Policy at BREKO: “Schleswig-Holstein is an absolute role model when it comes to fiber optic expansion. The state was an early adopter of future-proof fiber optic technology and invested heavily in it, particularly through Deutsche Telekom’s competitors. The state government has played a decisive role in driving the expansion forward. The mix of self-funded and subsidized projects is right in Schleswig-Holstein. At a meeting with the Ministry of the Interior this week, we as BREKO were able to discuss further decisive measures, such as a transition from copper to fiber optic networks in line with competition.”

Second place in the fiber optic ranking also goes to the north: In Hamburg, the fiber optic roll-out rate is a strong 83% with a total of 980,000 connections. With an increase of 11 percentage points, the Hanseatic city has once again made significant gains compared to the previous year. With a fiber optic connection rate of 39%, Hamburg ranks third in the nationwide comparison, just behind Brandenburg (43%).

Simons: “As an economically strong location with many large companies and start-ups, Hamburg has a great interest in a fast digital infrastructure. The Hamburg Senate has therefore anchored the expansion of fiber optics in its digital strategy. This has mobilized resources for the expansion and removed bureaucratic hurdles. Fiber optic expansion was also promoted as part of smart city projects to make the city fit for digital applications in areas such as transport, energy and administration.”

All figures, data and infographics for the BREKO Market Analysis 2024 can be found here.