Vodafone Germany has announced the launch of the largest fiber-optic network in the country, connecting over 11 million households and businesses. The network is a testament to Vodafone's commitment to bringing high-speed internet access to German citizens.
The Düsseldorf arm of the British communications company is relying on both its infrastructure and, more than other companies in the sector, partnerships with Deutsche Telekom and Deutsche Glasfaser, amongst others. Around 9.5 million potential customers are now being activated for Vodafone’s offer in the fiber-optic networks of Deutsche Telekom and Deutsche Glasfaser.
In addition, there are expansion projects covering more than half a million households and companies as well as a further 1.3 million households in which OXG Glasfaser has already started the expansion. OXG was launched by Vodafone and Altice in 2023 with an ambition to serve seven million new fiber optic connections. “In 2019, we launched Germany’s largest gigabit network and thus got the fiber-optic expansion in this country 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,” says Vodafone Germany CEO Marcel de Groot.
Vodafone’s 2019 entry into Germany’s fixed market was achieved through the acquisition of Liberty Global’s cable TV infrastructure in 2019 for €18.4 billion. The move also included businesses in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania. This new move, achieved through partnerships and the subsequent integration of IT systems, adds a new layer of services. Vodafone is now working with districts, municipalities, cities and communities on its own fiber-optic expansion. The communications group is currently managing around 50 projects – both self-financed and subsidized – with a marketing volume of over half a million FTTH connections. Vodafone is currently marketing free OXG fiber optic connections to around 1.3 million households and is obtaining the necessary licensing agreements.