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Germany Begins Voluntary Transition from DSL to Fiber-Optic Internet

With fiber availability at 50% and activation rates under 30%, regulators push for consumer adoption as the first phase of the DSL shutdown unfolds.

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Overview

  • Germany has entered the initial voluntary phase of its three-stage DSL shutdown plan, aiming for nationwide fiber-optic coverage by 2030.
  • Only about 50% of German households currently have access to fiber, and just 26–29% of available connections are active.
  • The Bundesnetzagentur is urging providers to offer more attractive fiber tariffs to encourage adoption, with some plans now cheaper and faster than DSL.
  • Pilot projects and public consultations are underway to guide the transition, ensuring consumer protections like notification periods and compensation rights.
  • Despite progress, rural areas and households with sub-10 Mbit/s speeds highlight persistent digital divide challenges in the migration effort.