Fiber Optic Expansion: It Gets Difficult Indoors
German broadband providers are speeding up fiber rollouts in apartment blocks by teaming up with specialist firms. These partnerships aim to tackle the technical and regulatory hurdles of installing high-speed internet in multi-unit buildings. Two major deals in 2024 and 2025 highlight how collaboration is driving progress.
In spring 2024, Deutsche GigaNetz joined forces with Lotenik media, a nationwide NE4 operator. Under the agreement, GigaNetz supplies active network equipment while Lotenik handles the internal wiring for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections. Andreas Bätz-Hammer, Lotenik’s managing director, called the partnership a 'seamless interaction' between outdoor (NE3) and indoor (NE4) network operators. Wolfram Thielen, GigaNetz’s revenue chief, praised Lotenik’s expertise in deploying and managing complex in-building networks.
The challenge of fitting fiber in apartment buildings is far greater than in single-family homes. Fire safety rules and heritage protections often slow down installations. To push forward, Deutsche GigaNetz has also secured public funding for two projects. In Schwäbisch, west of Heilbronn, a €3.3 million subsidy will connect 117 addresses—over 200 housing units—by late 2026. Another €500,000 grant is funding expansion in Kefenrod, Hesse, bringing fiber to 26 addresses covering 40 homes. A year later, in spring 2025, OXG finalised its own partnerships for apartment fiber connections. The company signed deals with Kabel Baumann and Rehnig BAK Breitbandnetze & Kabelfernsehen to speed up installations in multi-dwelling buildings. These collaborations follow a growing trend of NE3 operators seeking NE4 specialists to navigate the complexities of in-building networks.
The partnerships between network operators and in-building specialists are cutting through delays in fiber deployment. With public funding supporting key projects, thousands of apartments across Germany are set to gain high-speed broadband in the next two years. The focus now shifts to meeting installation deadlines while complying with safety and heritage rules.
