Fiber optic expansion in Offenbach

The expansion takes place step by step. Certain areas will be divided into polygons and gradually connected. The current planning does not yet cover all areas in the city in detail; in some areas it is also uncertain whether the expansion is profitable for telecommunications companies. However, it is the city's declared aim to connect the entire city. To this end, the city of Offenbach is currently applying for funding for network planning, which it can then use to apply for broadband funding from the state and federal government. The entire expansion will therefore take several years. The city will provide up-to-date information on the next expansion steps and, in particular, involve residents and building owners in the relevant areas.

Some fiber optic lines in the Offenbach city area were already laid in the 1980s or 1990s - not to connect buildings, but to open up control units for the respective utility companies. If there was "free" capacity, the telecommunications companies have also connected buildings in recent years. However, the planning was done long before the boom of the Internet, so unfortunately there is not enough capacity to connect everyone.

If the city does not start the expansion for another two years, it is currently likely that the city will have to wait another three years until the ground-breaking ceremony because the construction teams required for this are blocked for other cities.

However, to ensure that tradespeople do not have to pay for 10000 Mbit transmission rates from the outset without using them, some providers have put together packages that allow them to book all higher (more expensive) transmission rates as additional options alongside a basic fiber optic tariff with a 24-month term - and these can be terminated on a weekly basis. This should enable them to react quickly to changing requirements. It is important that a fiber optic connection is made now and the corresponding basic tariff is set up. After the 24-month term with the provider who installs the connection, you can of course switch to other providers.

The fiber optic connection itself costs private individuals nothing. As a private household, you do not have to sign a contract with the telecommunications company carrying out the expansion. You can choose another operator who offers you a fiber optic contract (open access).

The connection is also free of charge for businesses. However, due to the lower density of users in a commercial area, the telecommunications providers will only lay fiber optics if enough tradespeople book a fiber optic tariff with them. The city is therefore encouraging interested businesses in the relevant business parks to register for a fiber optic connection during the demand surveys. The corresponding costs for the basic tariff and the additional options can be found on the provider's website.

Whether the maximum transmission rate arrives at your home with fiber optics also depends on the infrastructure in your house, in particular which cables have been laid. In newer or renovated houses, there are sometimes empty conduits that can be used to pull the fiber optic cables into the home. Most providers will lay 10 to 30 meters of fibre optic cable with the new connection (but only the actual laying of the cable, not the drilling / laying of empty conduits that may be necessary). But even with copper lines, a higher transmission rate of around 1000 MBit can be achieved for the time being using certain technologies.