BONN, March 26, 2026 — The Bundeskartellamt has closed its investigation into the fibre-optic network cooperation between EWE AG and Telekom Deutschland GmbH after the companies offered binding commitments addressing competition concerns.
The cooperation takes place through the joint venture Glasfaser Nordwest GmbH & Co. KG, created in 2020 to expand fibre-optic infrastructure in north-western Germany. The venture operates wholesale fibre networks that telecommunications providers can use to offer services to end customers.
The authority said the project has significantly exceeded its original rollout targets and helped accelerate fibre-optic coverage in the region, with around 90% of households and businesses expected to have access by the end of the year.
Under renewed commitments, Glasfaser Nordwest must continue granting non-discriminatory access to its network and maintain a nine-month waiting period between rollout decisions and construction to avoid undermining rival operators’ plans. The commitments will remain in force until the end of 2030.
