04 Aug. Faster fibre optic rollout in multi-family buildings: VATM presents a detailed position paper
Cologne, 4 August 2025. Rolling out fibre optics in Germany’s multi-family homes is challenging and progress is slow: only 2.9 million of the approximately 30.5 million households in two-family and multi-family homes have fibre optic connections. In large buildings with seven or more residential units, this figure stands at just 400,000 households[1]. For the VATM, one thing is clear: expanding into buildings and apartments is the next big step in digitalisation and requires the best possible legal framework. The association has therefore now published a detailed position paper on in-house expansion, also known as Network Level 4.
VATM Managing Director Dr Frederic Ufer expressly welcomes the fact that the Federal Ministry for Digitalisation and State Modernisation is focusing on network expansion in large apartment buildings. This is one of its key points for the upcoming amendment to the Telecommunications Act. „Fibre optic expansion must be seen as an economic project as a whole, with the aim of providing all residents with access to modern digital infrastructure,“ the managing director emphasises. The enormous investments required for the future viability of building networks must prioritise security, especially since competitors finance more than half of the in-house fibre optic rollout in their buildings. New legal requirements should not be a threat to existing agreements between telecommunications companies and property owners, some of which have been in place for a long time. However, the right to fully expand the entire building, as outlined in the key points, could be a sensible economic addition. Any new requirements would have to consider existing distribution and contract agreements, as well as the interests of building owners.
„The ministry has recognised that without a clear legal framework, fibre optic rollout in buildings will continue to fall behind its potential,“ explains Ufer. The expansion has already been successful in areas where the telecommunications industry has worked closely with the organised housing sector for many years. However, the provision of fibre optics to homes struggles when private owners or owners‘ associations do not support the rollout. This is also shown by the market analysis on the status of in-house fibre optic networks from June 2025. Lengthy coordination processes, problems with responsibilities, a lack of technical knowledge and legal uncertainties are all delaying the timely expansion of the network. „Full expansion rights can generally be used to support in-house expansion and should be seen as an opportunity,“ says the managing director. „Any extension of the current legal situation must be carefully explored.“
The expansion of building networks must not be used to re-establish a Telekom monopoly. The VATM has therefore presented a detailed concept with acceptable solutions for fibre optic coverage in multi-family residences.
These include:
– proposals for simplifying decision-making within owners‘ associations,
– an improved nationwide awareness campaign to promote greater acceptance in building development,
– a standardised digital access procedure for owner information at a federal level and
– an expansion of toleration rights, limited by strict requirements.
„The comprehensive expansion of fibre optic networks will only succeed if progress is made inside buildings. The Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs is setting important priorities for a future-proof digital infrastructure,“ said Ufer.
Upgrading the whole building saves time, effort, and costs – both for owners and residents. It reduces interference with the building fabric, avoids extra work, and creates conditions for digital participation in the building at an early stage.
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The VATM position paper on Network Level 4 can be found here.
The 2025 Market Analysis: Fibre optic in-house networks can be found here.
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[1] VATM/ANGA Fibre Optic In-Building Networks – Market Analysis 2025, Cologne, 3 June 2025
