Bundesnetzagentur publishes draft decision: Free choice of terminal equipment for fibre optic lines to be confirmed
The German regulatory office for telecommunications – Bundesnetzagentur – has made a preliminary decision in the procedure for issuing a general ruling on changing the network termination point for fibre optic networks: In a draft decision published on its website on 24 July 2024, the Bundesnetzagentur envisages retaining the passive network termination point in fibre optic networks. The application submitted jointly by several industry associations to change the network termination point for fibre optic networks is to be rejected accordingly.
The Bundesnetzagentur justified its decision by stating, among other things, that the applicant associations had not provided any concrete technical evidence to prove that interference occurs behind the network termination point when using a separate terminal device.
Since 2016, the network termination point for all broadband technologies, including fibre optic connections, has been defined as “passive” in the Telecommunications Act (TKG).
Before the final decision is published, all parties involved will have the opportunity to comment on the Bundesnetzagentur’s draft decision.
Selection of German media coverage:
Golem.de, 24 July 2024: Bundesnetzagentur will Routerfreiheit doch beibehalten
Teltarif.de, 24 July 2024: Glasfaser: BNetzA schmettert Angriff auf Routerfreiheit ab
Heise Online, 26 July 2024: Glasfasernetze: Regulierer will an Routerfreiheit nicht rütteln
IT Boltwise, 27 July 2024: Routerfreiheit bleibt auch für Glasfaseranschlüsse bestehen