OpenNet expands partner portfolio in Germany with Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft

OpenNet continues its growth in the German market, where the northern German fibre-network owner and operator Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft is now opening its fibre network to additional service providers via OpenNet.

Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft (BNG), headquartered in Breklum, Schleswig-Holstein, has in recent years built an extensive FTTH network in Nordfriesland. The company is known for bringing high-speed connectivity to rural areas as part of the "Breitband für alle" initiative, which promotes equal digital access across the region. The initiative was made possible by founders from the wind-energy sector, local municipalities and HanseWerk AG, who have jointly helped advance digitalisation in the region.

With the new agreement with OpenNet, the approximately 25,000 households across some 50 municipalities in northern Germany that have access to BNG’s fibre network will in future benefit from a wider range of options for their fibre connection.

“With OpenNet as the link, we can significantly expand the number of service providers available on our network. This aligns strongly with our values of open network access — fibre networks are for everyone, and we want to increase competition on our network. We already work with two regional partners today, and we look forward to offering households and businesses even more choice when selecting their service provider,” says Daniel Pastewka, Managing Director of Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft.

End customers with a BNG fibre connection are expected to see new options become available during 2026.

Open Access on equal terms — for the entire industry
Earlier this summer, OpenNet announced that three German fibre-network companies had become shareholders of half of OpenNet’s German division. Alongside Stadtwerke Neumünster and Stadtwerke Geesthacht GmbH, Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft is also a shareholder. 

“As co-owners of OpenNet’s German divison, we believe that Open Access — enabling fibre-network owners and service providers to collaborate more easily across networks — is the way forward. Competition on the networks benefits households and businesses and helps increase utilisation. By working together, we can achieve more,” Pastewka adds.

Kristian Olaf Plet Freiesleben, one of the two Managing Directors of OpenNet’s German business unit, emphasises that BNG will join the platform on the same terms as all other partners:

“OpenNet’s business model is built on neutrality and standardised contracts. This ensures that all partners on the platform — whether co-owners or not — work under the same, non-discriminatory conditions. We treat all players equally, and we have eight years of experience doing so in Denmark.”

Lars Wiechmann, also Managing Director, adds:

“The partnership with Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft shows that OpenNet’s open and neutral business model works in practice. It sends a clear signal of transparency and shared ambitions for a more digital Germany and an open fibre-network market.”

The new agreement with BNG is the latest in a series of partnerships. In September, OpenNet announced that Stadtwerke Flensburg had also chosen to open its network via the platform. Several additional partners are already preparing to join.

In the picture: Managing Directors in Germany: Kristian O. P. Freiesleben and Lars Wiechmann; Managing Director of Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft: Daniel Pastewka; and Commercial Manager at Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft: Ralf Edlefsen.