Open access as the key to cooperative fiber optic expansion

85% of companies expanding fiber optic networks are willing to cooperate in the expansion of fiber optic networks. This is the key finding of a survey conducted by the Bundesverband Glasfaseranschluss e.V. (BUGLAS e. V.)  and the Verband Kommunaler Unternehmen e. V. (VKU). As part of the survey, member companies of both associations that are actively involved in fiber optic expansion were asked about their assessments of trends in the expansion of fiber optic networks for the year 2022.

The majority of the companies surveyed see great potential for increased fiber optic expansion in the area. Competition on the networks could be promoted in particular through the implementation of market-negotiated expansion cooperations and the granting of bilateral open access, as open and non-discriminatory network access avoids misallocations in network expansion due to the over- or parallel construction of infrastructures. In fact, reciprocal access to the networks makes it possible to better coordinate expansion activities in the area and thus advance fiber optic expansion more quickly across the board. According to the survey, eight out of ten companies surveyed already offer open network access for third parties.

You can download the full results of the survey on “Digitalization and connectivity perspectives 2022” from the VKU website.