With the German government's goal of a nationwide fiber optic rollout by 2030, the shutdown of the old copper networks must now also be on the political agenda. The German Broadband Association (BREKO) is therefore calling on the Federal Network Agency to develop a clear concept for the transition from copper to fiber optic networks - as an important incentive for further investment in fiber optic expansion. In addition, a rapid shutdown of the old networks would be more sustainable and economical than the parallel operation of two infrastructures.

The Federal Network Agency has given Telekom a disastrous report card. However, instead of drawing the right conclusions from the facts available to it, the authority is exercising restraint - as apparently desired by the German government - and continuing to play for time. This reinforces the suspicion that the interests of Deutsche Telekom are being deliberately protected here.

The European Local Fibre Alliance (ELFA) shares the European Union's ambition to bring fibre to all European households and businesses by 2030. Only fibre connectivity provides true gigabit speeds with the lowest possible latency and energy consumption, laying the foundation for a digital and sustainable Europe. ELFA supports the EU's recent policy initiatives as they provide better incentives for faster roll-out of fiber including reducing the risk of anti-competitive overbuild. ELFA also welcomes the European Commission's white paper for a Digital Networks Act as it would call for implementing copper switch-off in the foreseeable future in a fair manner which avoids distortions of competition. However, it is calling for definite actions to deliver this, as Europe's future depends on fiber networks.

The report by WIK-Consult and EY on behalf of the Federal Network Agency on the competitive situation in the mobile communications market has considerable shortcomings. It is therefore not suitable for making valid statements about competition in mobile telephony. These are the findings of a report published today by experts Prof. Dr. Ralf Dewenter (Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg) and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Gordon J. Klein (University of Münster) on behalf of the German Broadband Association (BREKO).

The right to a minimum supply of telecommunications services is the last resort and may only be applied if there is no other option for providing a basic internet supply. This is because this approach is significantly more costly than development via the federal government's gigabit funding - and even more so in comparison to a self-sufficient fiber optic expansion.

With the Gigabit Campus and Municipal Marketplace, the central meeting of the German fiber optic industry in 2024 has also developed into an important point of contact for municipal politics and administration. At the same time, the media hall integrated into fiberdays brought together the who's who of the media industry.

Wolfsburg and Emsdetten are Germany's first "real fiber-optic municipalities". At fiberdays24, the cities from Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia received awards from the German Broadband Association (BREKO) for their nationwide fiber optic expansion.

The telecommunications industry is robust in the face of increasing challenges and is calling for five immediate political measures to keep fiber optic investments attractive. DIW head Fratzscher emphasizes the potential of digitalization for the competitiveness of the German economy.

The EU Commission wants to support the nationwide expansion of fiber optics and mobile communications in Europe by strengthening the telecommunications industry. That's a good thing. Removing bureaucratic hurdles, improving the framework conditions for private investment in network expansion: The central ideas of the White Paper are a step in the right direction.

The two-day program of fiberdays 24 offers lectures, panel discussions, seminars and workshops on all the top topics of the fiber optic industry. Representatives from all well-known companies in the German telecommunications industry will talk to politicians and administrators about current strategic challenges, investments, sustainability, open access and much more.