In a significant push toward expanding its footprint in Germany, Vodafone Germany has embarked on a journey to bring fibre broadband to 11 million homes and businesses nationwide. This landmark move positions the company as the operator of the country’s largest fibre network.
This expansion leverages infrastructure sharing agreements with both Deutsche Telekom and Deutsche Glasfaser, promising an increase of 9.5 million new connections. This is in addition to the half a million homes already under Vodafone’s direct network. This strategy marks a pivotal shift in how broadband services are delivered, stirring the German market dynamics.
Meanwhile, OXG Glasfaser, a joint venture between Vodafone and Altice, continues to accelerate its fibre rollout. The venture aims to reach 1.3 million premises, with plans to invest €7 billion by 2029, covering up to 7 million homes.
Marcel de Groot, CEO of Vodafone Germany, stated, “In 2019, we launched Germany’s largest gigabit network and thus got the fiber optic expansion underway. Today we are taking the next step and connecting the largest unified fiber optic network for our customers. We are digging ourselves and with our expansion partners from OXG. And we are sharing infrastructure to increase competition and the range of services for people – even without superstructure.”
The initiative has gained a warm reception. VATM, a key industry association, highlighted that this development provides customers with access to multiple broadband providers, enhancing competition. However, their managing director Frederic Ufer, expressed concern about Deutsche Telekom’s participation, suggesting it hinders the nationwide fibre initiative, “We are pleased that competition in the fiber-optic market is being strengthened. Such partnerships successfully drive the topic forward in the interests of the #Anbietervielfalt and thus also for the benefit of consumers,” he noted. “Unfortunately, Deutsche Telekom is still lagging years behind with its technical possibilities and business models and can offer Vodafone and the market bitstream, but still does not buy it sensibly from other expanding companies, which continues to slow down the expansion,” Ufer added.
Looking ahead, Vodafone intends to focus more on its fibre network expansion through collaboration with local districts, municipalities, and communities. This plan promises to increase competition and improve service range across Germany, aligning with the growing demands for high-speed, robust internet connectivity.
