telecommunications
Associations demand release of report on fiberglass superstructure
Fiber optic connections often have to be rebuilt. photo
© Sina Schuldt/dpa
When it comes to broadband expansion, Germany is now also relying entirely on fiber optics. But disputes continue to arise over the question of how many lines can be laid to customers.
In three letters to the federal government, the associations of Telekom competitors have called for more transparency and information about the expansion of the broadband network with fiber optic lines. The telecommunications associations Breko, Anga and VATM simultaneously threw the Deutsche Telekom proposes to nip competition in the bud with a targeted double expansion of fiber optic routes.
Telekom’s business policy leads to “massive uncertainty among local citizens, who do not understand why two fiber optic networks should be built at once – but in the end there may be none at all.”
Telekom’s competitors assume that the announcement of a double expansion or the actual double expansion will tie up the already scarce resources in civil engineering and planning as well as in the approval authorities. They also led to cost increases. According to competitors, this prevents rapid expansion in the area.
It’s about an expert opinion
Specifically, in the letters to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Digital Minister Volker Wissing and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (both FDP), the associations are concerned with a report from the Federal Network Agency on double fiber optic expansion projects. Last summer, the Digital Ministry set up a monitoring center at the Federal Network Agency to record cases. Although an evaluation of more than 300 cases has been available to the State Secretary Stefan Schnorr, who is responsible for the Digital Ministry, for weeks, the authority’s report has not yet been published.
A “clear rejection of a strategically destructive superstructure” is overdue, says the letter to the Chancellor. “We expect that the company, which is still largely owned by the federal government, will ensure appropriate transparency in its expansion, will not push out other companies, and will not strategically thwart the federal government’s goals out of self-interest.”
A spokesman for the Digital Ministry told the dpa news agency that there was no report yet. “Both expanding companies and local authorities have reported numerous cases of overconstruction. The monitoring body has not yet completed its investigation into the facts.”
A spokesman for Telekom rejected the associations’ allegations. “Our competitors are apparently trying to put pressure on an independent authority by all means possible.” Telekom is building two thirds of all new fiber optic connections in Germany. “We are also being built over.” The Federal Network Agency itself reported 200 overbuilding cases.