Bonn, 09.09.2024 – The German Broadband Association (BREKO) welcomes its 500th member in the year of the association’s 25th anniversary, thus strengthening its political weight as the central voice of the fiber optic industry at federal, state, European and municipal level. With 262 network operators and 238 product providers and service companies, BREKO offers companies of all sizes a reliable and competent network to jointly advance the nationwide expansion of fiber optics.

Since September 1, 2024, NetCologne GmbH, one of the largest regional network operators in Germany, has been the 500th member of BREKO.

BREKO President Norbert Westfal, Spokesman of the Management Board at EWE TEL: “The growth in membership shows the attractiveness and strength of BREKO. Because we as an association are as diverse as the fiber optic industry. We look after the interests and needs of 500 member companies of different sizes and structures: from rural municipal utilities to regional carriers and nationwide network operators. Because we are united by a common mission: We are digitizing Germany in a fair market for the benefit of all!”

BREKO Managing Director Dr. Stephan Albers: “An association is only as strong as its members. I am therefore all the more pleased that we have been able to win NetCologne, one of the largest regional players, for the association. With now 500 members, we are the strong voice of the fiber optic industry. We use this political weight together in Berlin, Brussels, the state capitals and locally in the municipalities – for good framework conditions for the nationwide expansion of fiber optics and for fair competition on the telecommunications market. In addition, we are a community in which everyone benefits from an open and constructive exchange with each other, both the network operators and our associated association members, who are advancing the expansion of fiber optics with their products and services.”

With NetCologne, a true fiber optic pioneer is now part of the BREKO community. The Cologne-based company has been on the market for 30 years and has been committed to fiber optic expansion since the very beginning. NetCologne has more than half a million customers in the greater Cologne/Bonn/Aachen area.

NetCologne Managing Director Timo von Lepel: “One of the biggest challenges facing our industry in the coming years will be the transition from copper to fiber optics. Together with BREKO, we are increasing our clout for this reorganization in the market and actively shaping the change. This is the only way we can sustainably accelerate the expansion of fiber optics in Germany and create a secure investment climate for this urgently needed infrastructure.”

With a strong team, the BREKO offices in Bonn, Berlin and Brussels offer member companies exclusive know-how, the latest industry information and unique regulatory expertise. In addition, the BREKO service company offers extensive professional services, including training, regulatory advice and sample contracts, and organizes the industry’s leading trade fair, fiberdays. The BREKO Purchasing Association expands the BREKO network with a commercial platform for network operators, product suppliers and service companies that support fiber optic expansion and operation with a broad portfolio, including mobile communications and TV services, network components and warehousing.

With the BREKO market analysis, the association publishes the largest empirical survey on fiber optic expansion in Germany once a year. This year’s edition will be presented on September 10, 10:00-11:30 a.m. as part of an online press conference.