1&1 and Deutsche Glasfaser Join Forces to Expand Fiber Optics in Rural Areas

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing internet accessibility, 1&1 and Deutsche Glasfaser have formed a partnership to provide fiber optic services to less populated regions. This collaboration seeks to offer a wider range of fiber optic products in rural and suburban areas.

The two companies announced that through this 'infrastructural cooperation,' local fiber optic networks operated by Deutsche Glasfaser will be linked with 1&1's nationwide transport network. This initiative is expected to enable access to fiber optic services for an additional 2.5 million households.

According to the companies, the utilization of a future-proof infrastructure will foster increased competition and greater choices for customers. The partnership represents a significant milestone for both companies in their quest to advance fiber optic expansion and provide reliable, high-speed internet connections to communities across Germany.

The fiber optic offerings from 1&1, similar to those of major network providers like Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefónica, will feature speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second. This collaboration allows 1&1 to extend its product availability in areas where Deutsche Glasfaser is actively developing its infrastructure.

The slow pace of fiber optic rollout in Germany has raised concerns, as many DSL connections are still prevalent. From a technical standpoint, the current DSL technology has reached its limits, and experts indicate that key components for this technology may soon become scarce, as most countries are moving away from DSL.

A forward-looking study conducted for the VATM (Association of Providers in the Digital and Telecommunications Market) suggests that DSL may continue to dominate as the primary connection technology in Germany through 2030. The German government has set targets to ensure that half of all households are connected to fiber optics by 2025, and aims for complete coverage by 2030. The European Commission has also identified 2030 as a pivotal year for transitioning from copper to fiber optics, although some analysts consider these goals to be overly ambitious.