A recent study conducted by Germany’s Verband für Telekommunikation und Mehrwertdienste (VATM) has illuminated the rapid advancements within Germany’s fiber market. The study highlights a steady stride in the country’s fiber rollout, projecting that nearly 19 million households, approximately half of the German population, will have access to fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) connectivity by mid-year, marking a rise of 2 million households since the close of 2023.
Despite this commendable progress, the study also reveals a disparity in the adoption of fiber services. Only 24% of consumers, totaling 4.6 million customers, have opted for full fiber services, lagging behind the European average of around 50%, as reported by the FTTH Council Europe.
Further scrutiny of the study suggests a nuanced landscape in terms of service uptake. In areas covered by Deutsche Telekom, the incumbent operator, only 13% of residents are utilizing full fiber services, compared to 35.1% in regions serviced by competitors.
Criticism is not solely reserved for service uptake disparities but also extends to deployment strategies. VATM indicates that Deutsche Telekom’s rollout strategy falls short, reaching a mere 73% of households with FTTP in expanding areas, leaving a significant portion without access. Moreover, accusations of overbuilding rivals’ networks rather than extending fiber coverage to underserved areas cast a shadow on the operator’s approach.
In response to these allegations, Deutsche Telekom has vehemently defended its position, dismissing the study’s findings as biased and unfounded. The telecommunications giant asserts its commitment to fiber expansion, citing substantial investments, increased uptake rates, and regulatory approvals. It accuses VATM of attempting to hinder Telekom’s progress to facilitate unregulated monopolies among competitors.
This friction within the fiber ecosystem is not novel in the German market. Previous studies have highlighted concerns regarding overbuilding, with Deutsche Telekom often at the center of the debate. The company, however, maintains that its actions are economically justified, targeting areas where expansion is viable.
As Germany navigates its digital transformation, the fiber market stands as a critical battleground, where competition, regulatory scrutiny, and consumer demand intersect, shaping the future of telecommunications in the country.
