We’re moving into a new era of fibre broadband. Thanks to technology advancements, fibre-to-the-home is now becoming fibre-for-everything. This means more revenue streams, better operational efficiency, and greener networks, making sure we get the most out of fibre broadband.

Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, is progressing towards becoming a digital economy by scaling its fibre infrastructure and accelerating fibre-based network buildouts. But the fact is, despite being Europe’s biggest economy, Germany is lagging behind its European neighbours in its fibre rollout.

Gigabit revolution in Germany

Currently, Germany’s fibre coverage stands at ~26% compared to the rest of Europe (62% for EU39). To bridge this gap, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV), under the “Gigabit Strategy” program, will invest ~Euro 50 bn. This will enable FTTH connectivity for ~50% of German premises by the end of 2025 and 100% by 2030. As a first step, an increase in the supply of fibre optic connections to ~50% of all households and companies is planned by the end of 2025. In mobile communications, uninterrupted wireless voice and data services for all end users nationwide by 2026. The fibre optic networks are also moving ever closer to consumer households, especially in rural areas.

According to a report, in the year 2022, companies invested more than €13.1 billion in broadband network infrastructure. Despite the huge investment environment, the report highlights some significant challenges that could hinder the achievement of these goals. These challenges include a shortage of skilled workers and lengthy approval processes.

Achieving fibre optic connections throughout Germany remains a massive challenge. The task requires optimal coordination between federal states, municipalities, investors, network operators, and contractors. It is particularly crucial in light of the federal government’s ambition to provide fibre optics to every corner of Germany by 2030. Achieving this goal requires implementing projects as efficiently as possible once they have been approved to ensure a high-quality, controlled, sustainable and therefore, future-proof implementation.

The answer to this was the search for a reliable technology partner that could help Germany turn this vision into reality.

Committing to a connected Germany – STL Way

STL, with over 30 years of Optical expertise, is one of the very few players to have end-to-end capability across the fibre value chain, starting with glass preform, fibre, cables and finally, Optical Connectivity solutions. This enables the company to purpose-engineer solutions that solve specific challenges for its customers. With extensive research of more than two decades, STL is well-positioned to solve the requirements across different network architectures in Europe. 

STL has been in the market for more than a decade, with the intent to solve fibre connectivity challenges. 

STL is strengthening its presence in Germany to support the country’s journey towards connecting the unconnected. Our products are purpose-engineered according to German market conditions. They will aid telecom companies, alternative network providers, and governments in their national broadband plans, as well as accelerate the rollout of fibre-dense 5G in the region.

To help Germany scale up its fibre infrastructure and to enable German telecom operators and alternative network providers to accelerate their buildouts,  STL has set up a local base in Munich, in the German market. The company is opting for various strategies for actively scaling its presence in the market. 

Enabling faster lead times through an In-continent production centre in Italy –  STL has set up and scaled two manufacturing facilities in Italy for faster lead times and a continuous supply chain. 

Strategic alliances to serve the German market  – the company is forging strategic alliances through network supply chain partnerships for a deeper and more focused reach into the market. This will enhance the company’s ability to navigate the intricate network supply chain effectively. By aligning with key partners, STL not only taps into shared resources and expertise but also gains a comprehensive understanding of market intricacies, thereby fostering a more targeted approach to its operations.

Solving for capacity and speed through purpose-engineered solutions for the German market – STL is integrating its 30-year optical expertise with its  special design capabilities to build solutions  for German network needs through optical products like:

• High per-cable fibre density through Micro-Lite and Atlans-Lite cables. These loose-tube cables are 70% lighter and 50% smaller than standard loose-tube cables but offer high fibre density and increased efficiency
• Faster deployment through pre-connectorised Plug and Play solution for FTTx Opto-ODC2, OPTO-OXF and  OPTO-nPTD

In addition to the above-mentioned, our marquee products, including the Celesta 6912F IBR cable, the 864F m12 Yogalite cable, and the Next-Gen Micro cable with A2 180 micron fibre, became the unsung heroes of Germany’s digital revolution. These products found unprecedented success with the top service providers across the region, seamlessly integrating into the fabric of communication infrastructure.

One of STL’s shining achievements was the role it played in accelerating rural fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity in Germany. The Celesta 6912F IBR cable became the backbone of this transformative journey, enabling high-speed internet access in the remotest corners of the country. As a result, Germany began to bridge the connectivity gap and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its European counterparts.

The 864F m12 Yogalite cable became synonymous with reliability, ensuring that connectivity was not only fast but also resilient. It became the lifeline for communities, connecting them to the vast opportunities the digital world had to offer.

We are committed to becoming the leading partner for German telecom companies and providing the most advanced and eco-friendly optical products to help achieve the German Gigabit ambition. 

STL emerged as a pioneer, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of connectivity. Through groundbreaking solutions and state-of-the-art technologies, STL became the driving force behind the digital transformation sweeping across Germany by amplifying connectivity.