BREKO welcomes the launch of the “Deutsche Glasfaser Group” and sees this as a strong sign of the efficiency of the self-economic fiber optic expansion in Germany. For BREKO Managing Director Dr. Stephan Albers, the launch of the new “fiber optic factory” is confirmation that the BREKO companies are the key drivers of genuine fiber optic expansion right into buildings and homes. “The fact remains: while some companies are still talking about “gigabit-capable networks” or announcing fiber optic expansion for the future, the almost 200 BREKO network operators are already building real fiber optic networks today and thus laying the foundation for Germany’s digital future. The corona crisis shows that we need to push ahead with digitalization and fiber optic expansion as quickly as possible. Our network operators are pursuing this goal by connecting more and more municipalities to the fiber optic network. The example of the Deutsche Glasfaser Group shows the potential of the market.”
However, it is also clear to Albers: “Where there is no other way, we need additional state funding, but not with a ‘watering can’, but precisely for the areas that are still underserved. The coronavirus crisis has made it very clear that state funding is needed in areas where the supply of people and companies is particularly poor and where they will not be able to benefit from digital opportunities in the foreseeable future, partly due to the limited availability of civil engineering resources. It would also be unacceptable against the backdrop of significantly reduced public sector revenues if the state were to subsidize areas that already have good broadband coverage.”