Wolfsburg and Emsdetten are Germany's first „Echte Glasfaser-Kommune“ (Real fibre-optic municipalities). At fiberdays24, the cities from Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia were honoured by the Bundesverband Breitbandkommunikation (BREKO) for their nationwide fibre-optic expansion.
Since the end of February, BREKO has been awarding the title to cities and municipalities in which the proportion of available fibre-optic connections in relation to the total number of all households and companies is more than 90 %. According to the BREKO market analysis 2023, this fibre optic ratio is 35.6 % on average throughout Germany.
Dennis Weilmann, Lord Mayor of Wolfsburg: "A comprehensive broadband connection is fundamental for a modern infrastructure and strengthens the competitiveness of a city. The expansion of fibre optics in Wolfsburg is therefore of crucial importance for the city's development, both as a place to live and as a business location. The award as a 'genuine fibre-optic municipality' confirms our efforts in this area and is an important milestone on the way to becoming a smart city."
Role models for the future of digital infrastructure
Roman Skrodzki, State Policy Officer at BREKO: "Wolfsburg and Emsdetten started to drive forward the expansion of fibre optics at an early stage and paved the way to the digital future for their citizens, companies and administration. In doing so, they are role models for other municipalities and have shown what is important when expanding digital infrastructure: close and effective cooperation with the companies expanding the fibre optic network, for example through fast approval procedures. Good communication with local people in order to overcome any reservations. And, of course, the conviction that in the long term, only fibre optics will make digital solutions for sustainable development possible."
The "Echte Glasfaser-Kommune" is a new part of the "Fiber for Future" initiative, under which BREKO has been honouring politicians and network operators for several years. Further information can be found at fiberforfuture.de.
Municipalities with a fibre optic ratio of over 90 % can apply to BREKO for the " Echte Glasfaser-Kommune " seal by e-mail: skrodzki@brekoverband.de
(Quelle: BREKO)
