We bid farewell to Prof. Dr. Torsten J. Gerpott, an outstanding personality in the German telecommunications industry.

The Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg regional group of the German Broadband Communications Association (BREKO) has elected a new team of spokespersons. Fabian Bühring, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Neumünster, will take over the leadership.

- Established mobile network operators block access to 5G for competitors - Fiber network operators lack advance services for competitive bundled products - 90% of fiber network operators demand service provider obligation and expect improved competition from fourth mobile network operator - New frequency allocation conditions offer last chance for the time being to promote competition and innovation in the interests of consumers

The German Broadband Association (BREKO) welcomes today's decision by the Saxon state parliament on the topic of "High-speed for fiber optic development: Intensify cooperation between state administration, companies and municipalities". The fiber optic association considers the strengthening of modern installation methods by the Digital Agency Saxony (DiAS) and the creation of a broadband pact to promote constant exchange between all players involved in fiber optic expansion to be particularly helpful.

The German Broadband Association (BREKO) today reiterated its criticism of the draft Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA) at an event held jointly with the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) in Brussels. The main point of criticism is that the GIA in its current form would slow down the expansion of fiber optics in Europe instead of accelerating it, because it favors the strategic overbuilding of fiber optic networks. BREKO is therefore calling on the European Parliament and the European Council to amend the draft and take into account the special features of the markets of individual member states.

At the second BREKO Glass Fiber Forum Baden-Württemberg today, the state parliament's digital politicians discussed with over 170 representatives of the telecommunications industry, municipalities, districts and trade associations how the state can catch up in terms of fiber optic expansion. The core topics were the correct use of subsidies, the avoidance of duplicate expansion, the establishment of modern installation methods, the digitalization of approval procedures and the challenges of fibre optic expansion in apartment buildings.

BREKO welcomes the fact that the publication of the gigabit funding program by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) now provides clarity on how to proceed with fiber optic funding. BREKO is critical of the fact that the funding program does not contain any effective mechanisms to target funding to the municipalities that really need state support measures to improve local Internet coverage.

- 6,500 visitors: Leading trade fair for fiber optic expansion with new visitor record - Politics and industry focus on open access - Industry communicates new cooperation agreements - BREKO presents key figures for sustainable network expansion Wiesbaden, March 16, 2023 Fiberdays 2023 ends today with a new visitor record and continues its growth course as the leading trade fair for fiber optic expansion. The congress also provides important impetus on the second day. The strong competition for Germany's fiber optic networks is one of the most discussed topics at this year's Fiberdays. With the announcement of new cooperation agreements, BREKO member companies are following up their commitment to Open Access with action.

The German Broadband Association (BREKO) is opening the 2023 trade fair season for the telecommunications industry today with Fiberdays. 230 international exhibitors are presenting their latest products and services relating to real fiber optics on more than 10,000 square meters. In the top-class congress program, representatives from politics and the industry will discuss how the German government's ambitious fiber optic targets can be achieved in times of overbuilding, a shortage of skilled workers and inflation. Expert speakers from the digital and fibre optic industry will cover all current topics relating to digital infrastructure in the 100-hour workshop and seminar program.

High-performance fiber optic networks need attractive content to show what they are capable of. The opportunities, prospects and challenges that arise from this interaction for network operators and content providers will be the focus of the Media Hall at Fiberdays 2023 on March 15 and 16, 2023 in Wiesbaden.