As of: February 12, 2024, 11:29 a.m
By: Marcus Giebel
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Copper networks are to be switched off in Germany.
However, only when fiber optics are available to all citizens - there is a timetable for this.
Berlin – Time for DSL Internet is slowly running out in Germany.
As part of the gigabit strategy published in summer 2022, the traffic light government wants to convert to fiber optics nationwide.
The aim is to provide comprehensive coverage, explained the Ministry of Transport, which is also responsible for digital.
Germany is converting to a fiber optic network: all citizens should be able to access it by 2030
By 2030, all citizens and companies should be able to benefit from modern fiber optic networks.
The first step aims to provide half of all households and companies with the appropriate connections by the end of 2025.
The expansion should be carried out predominantly by the private sector, i.e. without the use of state funding and based on business decisions.
The realignment is explained by the higher services demanded in the fixed network.
In addition, fiber optic access is a prerequisite for the most modern and high-performance mobile networks.
This is the only way to ensure high transmission rates and network control for 5G applications.
On top of that, fiberglass is more environmentally friendly; the CO2 footprint is significantly lower than older technologies.
In addition, greenhouse gas emissions would be avoided through new, innovative applications.
Present at the top, future at the bottom: This is how copper and fiber optic cables differ in appearance.
© IMAGO / MiS
End of copper networks in Germany: fiber optic cables can also run above ground
The expansion should therefore also take the environment and nature into account; the transition from copper to fiber optic networks should be “swift, competitive, consumer-friendly and ecologically sustainable”.
The property rights, for example of building owners or the housing industry, would also be taken into account.
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Based on the experiences of other countries, fiber optic expansion should take place above ground, especially in sparsely populated regions.
In order to save time and costs, existing infrastructure such as overhead lines or wooden masts from Deutsche Telekom can be used.
In this way, the expansion costs per connectable household could be reduced by 70 to 80 percent.
The Ministry of Transport emphasizes that network operators and investors have announced that they will invest 50 billion euros in fiber optic expansion in the coming years alone.
How expensive the project will ultimately be and how quickly it can actually be implemented remains to be seen.
Test run to convert to fiber optic: Some citizens can no longer access the copper network
In any case, other countries are ahead of Germany.
France and Sweden are named in the gigabit strategy, where the transition to the fiber optic network and the shutdown of the copper networks are already further advanced.
According to the plans of the telecommunications company Orange – formerly known as France Telecom – the copper networks in the Grande Nation will come to an end in 2030.
It is still unclear when the final cut will take place in Germany.
The first test run is already underway.
In the Federal Network Agency's Gigabit Forum there is talk of a pilot project that started on February 1st and is based on Deutsche Telekom's fiber optic network.
In three limited test areas within the cities of Wiesbaden and Bad Salzungen, citizens no longer have the choice between copper and fiber optic networks.
Around 700 households and companies are involved.
Already being laid in various places in Germany: fiber optic cables are intended to advance digitalization.
© IMAGO / Funke Photo Services
When will the copper network in Germany be switched off?
Expert brings the year 2032 into play
The Scientific Institute for Infrastructure and Communication Services (WIK) emphasizes that there are regulatory requirements for network operators such as long notice periods of up to five years when it comes to switching off copper-based main distribution sites.
Significant benefits could be achieved if overlapping copper networks are switched off.
Operators would then be able to work with lower operating costs and improved profitability for fiber optic expansion, and customers could enjoy improved service quality.
Andreas Salacki, Senior Vice President Planning and Operation of Access Networks at Deutsche Telekom, also notes to his regret that “not every customer today books and orders the new technology, i.e. the fiber optic product.”
According to him, there is no risk of suddenly being left without a network during the changeover.
“In terms of service and usability, everything is the same,” he explains: “Only the cable changes: copper today, fiber optic tomorrow.
The services and the service, the product itself, remain identical.”
At the annual meeting of the Federal Association of Broadband Communications (BREKO) at the end of last year, Ralph Steffens, co-chief executive officer of the fiber optic network operator DNS:NET, advocated setting a hard date for the copper network shutdown, according to the
teltarif
portal .
He himself considers the year 2032 to be realistic, but spoke of it as a “huge task”.
Three municipalities have been working together to expand fiber optics since last year.
Meanwhile, an expert criticizes the double expansion of fiber optic networks.
Elsewhere, “significant cable damage” is reported.
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