1. Overview
On 19 January 2026, the national network regulator published a detailed regulatory concept to guide a gradual shutdown of legacy copper networks and a migration to full fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). The plan aims to enable Gigabit-capable internet across the country by encouraging broad fiber deployment, protecting consumers during the transition, and preserving competition in local access markets.
2. Regulatory framework and conditions
The regulator set clear conditions under which copper networks may be retired and replaced by fiber. These rules are designed to avoid leaving households or businesses without fast, reliable options and to ensure new fiber networks remain accessible to competing service providers.
Thresholds and Open Access
One of the central requirements is a coverage threshold based on “homes passed”: copper may only be switched off in areas where a very high share of premises are already reachable by FTTH. Open Access arrangements must be in place so that multiple providers can use the new fiber infrastructure, maintaining competition and consumer choice.
- Minimum coverage threshold: at least 80% of households and businesses in an area must be passed by fiber before copper shutdown is permitted.
- Open Access requirement: competitors must be able to access the fiber network under fair conditions to preserve market competition.
- Some industry stakeholders have proposed a slightly higher threshold (for example, 85% homes passed) to reduce the risk of rollout delays in certain areas.
Timelines and safeguards
The regulatory concept includes specific timing rules and safeguards to give consumers and businesses time to migrate and to discourage abrupt changes that could harm users.
- 36 months advance notice before a planned copper shutdown in a given area, giving residents and businesses time to prepare.
- 24 months marketing stop for traditional DSL services in areas targeted for migration, limiting new copper-only sales while transition plans are implemented.
- A phased, step-by-step transition process intended to protect consumers and ensure continuity of service.
3. Industry response and pilot projects
Responses from industry have been mixed. Some players welcome a clear framework that pushes faster fiber rollout, while others warn the rules could cause operational or commercial challenges. Pilot projects are being run to test how shutdowns and migrations can be managed smoothly in practice.
Criticism and support
- An industry association argued for a higher homes-passed threshold (for example, 85%) to reduce the chance of repeated or prolonged parallel operations and to avoid rollout bottlenecks.
- A large incumbent operator has described parts of the plan as a potentially forced change, fearing commercial or logistical complications during migration.
- The regulator stresses that the framework balances the push for fiber with consumer protection and maintaining open competition.
Pilot projects and testing
Pilot projects are testing practical aspects of the migration: how to notify customers, how to manage technical cutovers, and how to ensure alternate access options are in place. These pilots will inform best practices and help refine procedures before broader rollouts.
4. Consumer protection and competition
Protecting consumers and preserving competitive choices are central goals. The rules aim to prevent customers from being left without adequate broadband options, and to make sure that new fiber infrastructure does not become a closed, single-provider system.
What consumers should expect
- Clear advance notices: consumers will receive long lead times before any copper shutdown in their area (up to 36 months).
- End of new DSL sales: a 24-month marketing stop means new copper-only subscriptions will be phased out in targeted areas.
- Support for migration: gradual transition measures aim to give households and businesses time to choose and switch to fiber services with minimal disruption.
- Continued choice: Open Access requirements mean multiple providers should remain available on new fiber networks.
5. Technical and energy considerations
From a technical perspective, FTTH offers significant advantages: higher speeds (Gigabit-capable connections), lower latency, and greater long-term capacity compared with copper-based DSL. Fiber is widely seen as the future-proof technology for broadband.
Parallel operation and energy use
The regulator acknowledges that running copper and fiber networks in parallel can be inefficient and energy intensive. That is one reason the framework encourages orderly migration once sufficient fiber coverage and Open Access are in place, while pilot projects examine ways to reduce duplication and energy consumption during transitions.
6. Practical timeline and next steps
The concept provides a step-by-step approach for areas moving from copper to fiber, involving coordination between the regulator, network operators, local authorities, and service providers. There is no single EU-wide shutdown date; approaches and timing will vary by country and region.
- Publication of the regulatory concept (19 January 2026) starts the consultation and implementation phase.
- Pilot projects evaluate practical migration methods and customer handling.
- Areas reach the required fiber coverage threshold (at least 80% homes passed) and Open Access conditions are confirmed.
- 36 months advance notice is issued for a planned copper shutdown in a given area.
- 24 months marketing stop for new DSL sales in targeted areas to limit copper-only subscriptions.
- Phased migration and final shutdown once safeguards and competition rules are in place.
7. Conclusion
The shift from copper to fiber represents a major infrastructure upgrade that promises Gigabit-capable internet and long-term benefits for homes and businesses. As President Klaus Müller of the national network authority put it, “The shift to fiber is a future-oriented Internet upgrade for Germany.” The success of the transition will depend on careful planning, meaningful consumer protections, effective Open Access rules, and continued dialogue between regulators, industry and communities.
