German telecoms operators Deutsche Glasfaser and NetCologne are collaborating to provide open access fibre-optic network services to residents in the Cologne and Aachen areas. As per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two companies, Deutsche Glasfaser will grant NetCologne access to its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure for a minimum of six years. This will allow residents in Deutsche Glasfaser coverage areas in the Rhein-Erft district, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district, and the region around Aachen (via NetAachen) to access fibre-optic services from NetCologne starting from summer 2024.
NetCologne's Managing Director, Timo von Lepel, said that the collaboration with Deutsche Glasfaser will provide customers in the region with a future-proof fibre-optic connection beyond the metropolitan areas. NetCologne already supplies three out of four households in Cologne with ultra-fast and stable connections, and the goal is to expand the network further to offer the same reliable connectivity to more people. In addition to their own expansion activities, NetCologne is particularly relying on cooperation in areas where fibre-optics have already been expanded, and the network of Deutsche Glasfaser complements their existing network ideally.
This partnership is expected to bring significant benefits to customers in the region, as both Deutsche Glasfaser and NetCologne are known for providing high-quality fibre-optic services. By joining forces, they will be able to provide a wider coverage area and more reliable connectivity to customers. The collaboration also demonstrates the importance of open access networks in expanding fibre-optic services to more people, as it allows multiple service providers to offer their services on a shared infrastructure, leading to healthy competition and better services for customers.
