Gap between availability and use of fiber optic connections is growing
The use of the fiber optic network will fall well short of the expectations of business and politics in the coming years. This is the result of a survey.
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The use of the fiber optic network in Germany will fall well short of the expectations of business and politics in the coming years, according to a recent survey by management consultants BearingPoint. According to the survey, although fiber optics is increasingly available to more households, some seem to have no interest. In addition, there is still a lack of planning capability.
The spread of fiber optic connections is stagnating
According to the survey, almost half of Germans (49%) use a DSL Internet connection that only enables bandwidths of up to 250 Mbit/s and is therefore not gigabit-capable. "These gigabit-capable connection technologies only follow in second place with a clear gap and, according to the survey participants, a share of 18% each of fiber optic and cable Internet users," says BearingPoint.
Although , according to the Federal Network Agency's broadband atlas, a fiber optic connection would be possible for more than 30% of households in Germany, the proportion of households using fiber optics has only increased by two percentage points compared to a previous year's survey, according to BearingPoint.
The survey shows that the main reasons for the low use of the fiber optic network are customers' general satisfaction with their current connection and the price-performance ratio. Many customers who do not have a fiber optic contract and are not planning to switch are satisfied with their current provider. In addition, many feel that the fiber optic tariff, which is more expensive than a DSL tariff, is too expensive.
Reliable planning required
"At the same time, we need reliable planning on the part of telecommunications companies and politicians. A look abroad shows that a 'fiber fever' has broken out precisely when customers have received very specific service promises from providers," says BearingPoint partner Julius Hafer. People sometimes have to wait years for their fiber optic connection and are repeatedly put off.
Another relevant reason is the lack of information regarding the technological advantages of fiber optic connections. According to the survey, 15 percent of respondents cannot derive any technical benefits from using fiber optic products for their own everyday Internet use. 51% feel "only moderately or poorly" informed about fiber optic technology.
According to the survey, a DSL connection is currently most frequently used by people aged 55 and over (56%), while the 35 to 44 age group is the most frequent user of fiber optic connections.
Gigabit strategy
The German government plans to supply all households with fiber optics by 2030, but only 11% had a fiber optic connection at the end of 2023. According to the survey, however, only 49% of users are planning to switch to a fiber optic connection.
The survey was conducted by BearingPoint in collaboration with the market research institute YouGov. More than 7,000 adults in Germany and Austria were surveyed in two waves between July 2 and August 23, 2024. The survey was conducted online, but Yougov claims that it is still representative.
(mack)