Stadtwerke Flensburg opens fibre network with OpenNet

The North German fibre network company wants to contribute to change the German telecommunications industry with open fibre networks – better utilisation of the network and more freedom of choice for end customers

With a common goal to accelerate digitalisation in Germany, Stadtwerke Flensburg has entered into a cooperation agreement with OpenNet's German business unit, which is based in Neumünster.

The decision to open the fibre network through OpenNet is a strategic step to ensure better utilisation of the infrastructure: 

"For several years, we have invested in the expansion of our fibre network to future-proof Flensburg. The collaboration with OpenNet is an important step in supporting digital development in the region. Open fibre networks benefit both the industry and the end customers," says Jan Zander, Sales Director at Stadtwerke Flensburg, and adds:

"Fibre network companies like Stadtwerke Flensburg achieve a more efficient use of the existing infrastructure when we can collaborate with several service providers via one interface. In addition, households and businesses will have more choice on their fibre connection, allowing them to choose the service provider that best meets their needs." 

End customers with a fibre connection from Stadtwerke Flensburg can look forward to an expanded portfolio of options during 2026.

OpenNet wants to bring the industry together
For OpenNet, the collaboration with Stadtwerke Flensburg is in line with a targeted expansion into Germany. Since 2018, OpenNet has delivered a business model that makes cross-functional collaboration between Danish – and now also German – network owners and service providers possible. The business model is based on fair and equal terms for both parties and is known as Open Access.

Just seven years after the establishment in Denmark, the expansion to Germany is now a reality. Last year, the German division was established, and in June this year, OpenNet announced that three German fibre network companies – SWN Stadtwerke Neumünster, Stadtwerke Geesthacht GmbH and Breitbandnetz GmbH & Co. KG. – entered as shareholders of half of the German division.

"We see great potential in the German market, where the demand for Open Access is high. At the same time, there is massive political support for accelerating digitalization. With our German company, we are introducing a well-proven business model that has already created value for fibre network companies and consumers in Denmark. We are proud that Stadtwerke Flensburg has chosen to open its fibre network via OpenNet," says Kristian Olaf Plet Freiesleben, who is one of the Managing Directors of OpenNet's German Division. 

Lars Wiechmann, the other Managing Director, adds in conclusion: 

"Our platform is open to the entire industry – that's the core of Open Access. We invite fibre network owners and service providers who share the ambition to accelerate digitalisation in Germany to become part of the collaboration."

On the picture: Managing Directors of OpenNet's German Division, Lars Wiechmann and Kristian Olaf Plet Freiesleben, and Sales Director at Stadtwerke Flensburg, Jan Zander. 

About Stadtwerke Flensburg
Stadtwerke Flensburg's roots go back to 1854. With a wide range of products in the fields of electricity, district heating, water, telecommunications and e-mobility, Stadtwerke Flensburg supplies end customers on the Flensburg Fjord. Nationwide, 300,000 private electricity and natural gas customers are served. In addition, the Flensburg-based company is an energy service provider for major industrial and residential customers throughout Germany. The company has always focused on innovation. For the past 10 years, the focus has been on the expansion of a modern fiber optic network, which is now being opened to other service providers through the collaboration with OpenNet.