Broadband expansion and upgrade
High-bandwidth optical fibre technology is vital for advancing telecommunications, Smart City initiatives, 5G technology, and a range of other applications. A robust gigabit infrastructure has emerged as a key location factor in competition between cities to attract investors, and its importance is growing for private use as well. With fibre-optic based high-speed internet, residents and businesses in Leipzig enjoy crystal-clear voice calls and the seamless handling of substantial amounts of data, all at once.
By 2024, we aim to connect approximately 7,000 private households, 375 businesses, and 160 institutions (including 143 municipal schools) to the fibre optic network in Leipzig (a non-discriminatory high-speed data network). Only property owners with a current download speed less of than 30 Mbit/s qualify to be connected. This requirement is a directive from the EU and the German government and, unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.
Upgrade tender
After defining three sub-project areas, the City of Leipzig put the expansion and upgrade project out to tender. The necessary work will be carried out in the three areas by the following telecoms companies:
- L01 – Gottscheina-Hohenheida: HL Komm
- L02 – Residential, commercial and mixed-use areas: Vodafone
- L03 – Schools: Netz Leipzig and HL Komm
Frequently asked questions
Broadband expansion and upgrade will be carried out in parallel in three sub-project areas. Work will be exclusively confined to defined development areas. Only owners whose current download speed is below 30 Mbit/s qualify to be connected. This is a subsidy criterion set by the EU and the German government.
- L01 – Gottscheina-Hohenheida
- L02 – Residential, commercial and mixed-use areas
- L03 – Schools
- L01 – Gottscheina-Hohenheida: HL Komm
- L02 – Residential, commercial and mixed-use areas: Vodafone
- L03 – Schools: Netz Leipzig, HL Komm
There are different start and end dates for the upgrade areas owing to their size and complexity as well as the different companies involved.
- L01 – Gottscheina-Hohenheida (12 February 2021 until 24 June 2022)
- L02 – Residential, commercial and mixed-use areas (implementation in 2022/23 following upgrade request)
- L03 – Schools (1 November 2021 until 1 May 2023)
Owners in the upgrade areas will be notified by the City of Leipzig and the relevant telecoms companies.
Sometimes, cables are buried underground. However, alternative installation methods are increasingly being used in areas where this is possible, which are faster and help to minimize costs. In addition, use is made of existing infrastructure, such as existing cable ducts and shafts, empty pipes, etc.
Before the work begins, property owners will be notified of the upgrade project. To have your property connected to the fibre optic network, written consent must be submitted by the building owner to the telecoms company handling the upgrade. If consent is not received in time, the fibre optic cable will be terminated at your property boundary. The City of Leipzig therefore recommends that all property owners in the areas concerned take advantage of the offer to have a fibre optic connection fitted free of charge.
After excavation work has been completed, optical fibres will be drawn into the (existing) pipes. They will then be connected to the building and the distribution cabinet. A fibre optic socket will be installed inside the building in addition to the telephone socket.
Interior cable installation
As part of the subsidized broadband upgrade, a fibre optic cable will be laid up to the building connection box free of charge. Please note that in-house wiring is not covered by the project.
Internet upgrade inside buildings varies depending on local circumstances. For example, existing empty pipes can be used to carry cables to upper floors. If no such infrastructure is in place, surface-mounting will be required. In apartment buildings, a fibre optic cable will be needed from the connection point to each apartment for which a fibre optic product has been ordered.
Connecting your building is free of charge under the subsidized project, as long as the telecoms company receives the owner’s consent by the deadline for the area concerned.
If you want a fibre optic cable to be laid up to your property after the end of the campaign, you will be charged a share of the costs. The amount will vary depending on the contractor carrying out the work.
In an FTTB connection (fibre to the building), the fibre optic cable is laid directly into the property. This FTTB upgrade is hence different from previous projects, in which fibre optic cables were only installed up to the distribution box.
Fibre is vital for advancing telecommunications, Smart City initiatives, 5G technology, and a range of other applications. A robust gigabit infrastructure has emerged as a key location factor in competition between cities to attract investors, and its importance is growing for private use as well. A fibre optic connection enables high-speed internet, home-schooling, working from home, crystal-clear voice calls, and large amounts of data to be sent and processed – all at once.
Optical waves in optical fibres allow a greater distance between the exchange and a building to be bridged. There is no loss of data or speed, as optical fibres are less sensitive to disruptive influences such as magnetic interference and electrical friction.
All buildings with their own house number within an upgrade area can normally receive a fibre optic connection, as long as (a) the current download speed is no higher than 30 Mbit/s at the connection point, (b) the building has its own house number, and (c) an upgrade has not been carried out at the address concerned by a telecoms company at its own expense (according to the market research carried out beforehand).
No. There’s no need to have or conclude a contract with the telecoms company responsible for the upgrade in your area. The subsidized scheme allows free access for any provider, which means you can choose your internet provider after the connection has been fitted.
During expansion and upgrade works, reserve capacity is to be installed by fitting junction boxes at property boundaries along the subsidized fibre optic route. This will greatly simplify future development. During the premarketing phase from 14 February until 28 May 2022, the building connection costs will be waived as long as (a) a land use agreement is concluded with Vodafone as the company responsible for expanding and upgrading the fibre optic network, and (b) an internet service contract is signed with Vodafone.
In rented properties, at least one tenant must conclude an internet service contract.
If you do not wish to take out an internet service contract but still want a fibre optic connection, you willhave to pay the connection fee.
Here is a list of phone numbers for general enquiries about the telecoms companies’ fibre optic networks:
L01 - Gottscheina-Hohenheida
Thomas Wisgalla
03491 8697 290
thomas.wisgalla@pyur.com
L02 - Residential, commercial and mixed-use areas
Hotline 0800-2030325 (Monday - Friday: 9-19 Uhr)
L03 - schools
Gerd Kroll
gerd.kroll@netz-leipzig.de
phone: 0341 121-6050
mobil: 0173 3570333
André Müller
andre.mueller@netz-leipzig.de
phone: 0341 121-6064
mobil: 0173 3980400
Stefanie Denais
stefanie.denais@netz-leipzig.de
phone: 0341 121-4523
mobil: 0173 3510010