12 Juni VATM press release regarding the planned shutdown of the copper network
In response to Federal Digital Minister Dr. Karsten Wildberger’s statement in the Bild newspaper suggesting that a complete shutdown of the copper network by 2030 is premature, VATM Managing Director Dr. Frederic Ufer has commented:
“Ending the copper network is the biggest opportunity for digitalisation in Germany and for real competition in the fibre optic market this decade,” said the Managing Director. “For VATM and its member companies, the migration must be carefully planned and easy for people to understand and accept. No one should feel overwhelmed or burdened by the network change. Instead, the new minister and the Federal Network Agency must do everything possible at this early stage to ensure that the DSL switch-off is perceived by the public for what it is: the greatest opportunity for a sustainable digital Germany.
However, it is important for all those responsible in politics and regulation to recognize that Telekom holds significant strategic influence over the fibre optic rollout process. Currently, they are addressing emerging competition through tactics such as delays, overlapping competitor networks, reluctance to meet demand on millions of competitor-built connections, and occasionally stepping back from rollout goals. These actions highlight the need for careful monitoring to ensure fair competition and progress.
At this important stage of developing new telecommunications infrastructure, the federal government and the Federal Minister for Digital Affairs must not let Telekom use the debate and uncertainty about the copper network shutdown date to push out competition on the new network. This is exactly what could happen if politicians continue to give Telekom too much freedom and don’t clearly support fair competition.
It is the competitors who stand for open access — who are working to bring fast internet to every home, not just along the main roads. They are the ones offering fair prices, whether people just need basic speeds or rely on high-performance networks for their jobs to stay connected in society, or to access vital services like telemedicine.“
