Copper Shutdown: Anything but united

How can a regulated switch from copper-line-based connections like VDSL to fiber optics also succeed in Germany? The debate about it is in full swing – and the interests are diverse. At an event hosted by the Federal Association for Broadband Communication (Breko) in Berlin, providers, consumer advocates, ministries, and the EU Commission discussed possible approaches.

Susanne Ding, department head for the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), made it clear: No copper network will be switched off in Germany without an existing alternative. Ding also categorically ruled out any compulsion to switch to fiber optics: “There is no forced happiness.” Peter Stuckmann, representative of the Directorate-General Connect, also saw no reason to expect anything different. “If we really switch off, there must be mechanisms,” said Stuckmann.

What counts for the shutdown?

Currently, an EU regulation, the Digital Networks Act (DNA), is being discussed at the European level, which will among other things regulate the phasing out of copper networks. Regulations apply directly across Europe and thus restrict the legislative freedoms of member states. However, the heads of the member states had also previously considered a unified European telecommunications market to be desirable.

CDU Member of the Bundestag Joachim Ebmeyer made it clear at the Breko event on Tuesday evening that Germany faces a particular problem. He said the country had become “a victim of its own technical genius.” By being able to squeeze out the last efficiency gains from copper lines, the overdue switch to future-proof fiber optic technology had been postponed for too long.

Consumer advocate Lina Ehrig also saw a considerable share of the blame for Germans' hesitant embrace of fiber optics lying with the providers. A far too large proportion of complaints in the telecommunications market currently relate to fiber optic providers. This would have a negative impact on the attractiveness of the offers, said Ehrig, who is responsible for digital policy at the Federation of German Consumer Organisations. In addition, three-quarters currently simply do not feel a heightened demand for bandwidth – which determines their willingness to pay.

Fear of basement regulation

“If we only start expanding when the demand is there, we will be too late,” explained Timo von Lepel from the regional provider NetCologne, representing the position of non-Telekom and non-cable network providers. CDU politician Joachim Ebmeyer emphatically warned against a negative image of fiber optic expansion: The narrative “the politicians want to switch off our DSL” is highly dangerous. It is important to make it clear that DSL will have to become pricier in the future – because the economies of scale will disappear.

NetCologne CEO Timo von Lepel also points to the psychological component of fiber optic expansion: “Try to build a network level 4 against the will of the homeowner: You stand at the door and they don't open it for you,” he described the problem. This is because not only access to the houses but also expansion within apartment buildings is to be newly regulated with the planned changes to the German Telecommunications Act.

So the dispute is taking place on two levels: in Germany, the amendment to the Telecommunications Act is to go through the cabinet before the summer break and ideally come into force at the beginning of 2027. At the EU level, discussions are partly underway in parallel about how the Digital Networks Act, which will regulate identical or at least closely related content in part, should be designed. The dispute concerns the questions of exactly how a regulated shutdown should look, which deadlines are sensible and technically feasible for it, and what is best regulated at the German level and what, shortly thereafter, at the European level.

Whether all copper networks or only copper telephone cable networks are affected by the shutdown was not up for debate at the Breko event in Berlin on Tuesday evening: The sensitive issue of cable provider networks was consistently ignored by all sides. Yet, this is the most obvious alternative when DSL networks are shut down, provided that a mechanism has not yet been created for all providers to offer their services on the fibers of their competitors. Susanne Ding from the Ministry of Digital Affairs warned against overburdening the German Telecommunications Act amendment. It must come soon, instead of being discussed for too long.

(mki)