Stadtwerke Geesthacht open their fibre network: cooperation with OpenNet strengthens choice and competition for providers and customers

Open fibre networks and shared standards strengthen the entire German telecommunications sector — from major corporations to local providers. This is the conviction shared by Stadtwerke Geesthacht GmbH and OpenNet, who are now entering into cooperation.

With the new agreement, Stadtwerke Geesthacht GmbH will open its fibre network to additional service providers via the OpenNet platform from the turn of the year. At the same time, the company will gain the opportunity to offer its own products on other open networks.

As both a network operator and service provider, Stadtwerke Geesthacht plays an active role in advancing digital development and fibre expansion in Schleswig-Holstein. As a service provider, the company will in future also participate in additional OpenNet collaborations — helping strengthen cooperation within the industry.

“Open networks and shared standards are key to a stronger and more competitive market in Germany. When fibre-network owners and service providers — regardless of their size or location — become part of a larger community through OpenNet, everyone benefits: businesses, end customers and, above all, the industry as a whole,” says Dennis Ressel, Head of Media & IT at Stadtwerke Geesthacht.

“In the coming years, we expect a significant number of new fibre connections. The advantages of Open Access are clear: existing fibre networks are better utilised, customers have more options for their internet connection, and standardisation reduces complexity, time and ultimately costs.”

Danish experience as foundation
Stadtwerke Geesthacht — together with Stadtwerke Neumünster and Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft — is one of three shareholders that collectively own 50 percent of OpenNet’s German division.

Lars Wiechmann, one of the Managing Directors of OpenNet Germany, explains:

“OpenNet has its roots in Denmark and originates from the energy and telecommunications company Norlys, which owns the Danish business unit. Norlys is also a partner on the platform — and this works because OpenNet’s business model is based on neutrality and standardised contracts. Whether a company is a shareholder or not, all partners operate under the same, non-discriminatory conditions.”

OpenNet’s Danish division was established in 2018 and is now the market leader, covering roughly 60 percent of the Danish FTTH footprint.

Additional collaborations underway
The new agreement with Stadtwerke Geesthacht GmbH follows similar partnerships, most recently with Breitbandnetz Gesellschaft and Stadtwerke Flensburg.

Kristian Olaf Plet Freiesleben, also Managing Director at OpenNet, adds:

“We are experiencing significant interest in Open Access in Germany. There is clear political and economic support for accelerating digital development — and this is achieved most effectively when the industry collaborates based on shared standards, uniform conditions and full transparency. Our ambition is to serve as the connecting interface in a large network of fibre-network owners and service providers — enabling connections without boundaries, both between companies and across regions.”

In the picture:

Managing Directors in Germany: Lars Wiechmann and Kristian Olaf Plet Freiesleben; Head of Media & IT at Stadtwerke Geesthacht: Dennis Ressel.