Vodafone-Altice German fibre JV gets down to work

OXG Glasfaser GmbH, the German fibre joint venture between Vodafone and Altice, has begun work on laying fibre, starting with the twon of Neuss, where it is building an FTTH network for over 28,000 homes and companies.

The JV, which received a green light from the EC six months ago, will also start work in the cities of Düsseldorf, Marburg, Duisburg and Kassel in the coming weeks. Up to 150 other cities are to follow by the end of 2024.

The open-access business model adopted by the JV embraces a non-discriminatory wholesale approach to the market, according to the pair, enabling providers to deliver internet, TV and telephony services.

When the infrastructure is built out, Vodafone will initially take over marketing of fibre to the home, with third-party players to follow.

Vodafone Germany CEO Philippe Rogge said: “A year ago we launched Germany’s largest fiber optic alliance. With the vision of building up to seven million new fiber optic connections. Six months ago, the EU Commission gave the green light for our plans. Now the excavators start digging. Today in Neuss and in 150 cities and municipalities by the end of 2024. This gives the fiber optic expansion in Germany a strong boost. At the same time, we are making our cable network even better with additional fiber optics.”

Stefan Rüter, member of the management team at OXG Glasfaser GmbH said: “We are bringing gigabit internet to cities on our own. We are implementing our expansion without pre-marketing and without a completion quota to be achieved in advance. This creates security – for cities, for municipalities and for all residents. When expanding, our focus is particularly on the housing industry. Our strategy is working: we are receiving very positive feedback from the cities and communities, the housing industry and the owners.”