The city of Lübbecke therefore wants to build a high-performance fiber optic network itself.
City builds the network
By becoming the owner of the network within its limits, the city retains sovereignty and can ensure that the fast lines are accessible to everyone. In addition to the Lübbecker Stadtwerke, a telecommunications company is to be involved in the implementation. The municipal utilities are to enter into a cooperation with the Greenfiber company. This joint company would then provide households with all of the fiber optic connections. Finally, Greenfiber leases and operates the network.
The project
Further details of the cooperation emerge from the information documents for the council members that are available in this newspaper. Accordingly, the newly founded company will become the owner of the network. The expansion is being financed through loans guaranteed by the city. This means that there are favorable conditions. Greenfiber takes over the construction of the network and ultimately leases it from the company. The loan is paid off with the rental income.
If the council approves the project, a customer survey would start. If it turns out that less than 40 percent of households want to become customers, the project will fail. But if it can start, the expansion would take about two years.
Why Greenfiber?
The Greenfiber Holding GmbH is already on behalf of the district (keyword master plan broadband expansion) to supply the “white spots”, i.e. the areas in Lübbecke that are not served, with cable. This affects 749 connections. The company is already on site and has secured the necessary civil engineering work at affordable prices. The effects of municipal loan conditions and ongoing commitment from Greenfiber make the partnership attractive for both sides.
Greenfiber has been on the market since 2012 and is rated as reliable by the district and city, but should also provide collateral. In addition, the municipal utilities have a kind of right of first refusal if Greenfiber wants to sell its shares or becomes insolvent.
How much does it cost?
The individual household will have to pay a one-time fee of 100 euros, then standard contract costs. Those who join later will have to reckon with connection costs of around 3000 euros. Each participant is bound to the provider Greenfiber for two years, but can then switch. The advantage for those who are satisfied with their current connection: With the new high-performance connection, the respective property is also prepared for future data transfer standards, it is said.
Council postponed the subject
The council should discuss and decide on the cooperation between municipal utilities and Greenfiber on Thursday. However, the CDU, the Greens and the FDP applied for this to be postponed. Klaus-Jürgen Bernotat (CDU) stated that the text of the contract had only been available for a short time and that there was still a need for advice, for example about alternative partnerships. He suggested setting up a working group and then making a decision in March.
The SPD, WL and LK spoke out against an adjournment with reference to comprehensive information in advance. “Our questions were answered and we don’t want to stand in the way of the starting signal for the basis of fiber optic supply or delay it unnecessarily.” Hesitation is a waste of time.
Mayor Frank Haberbosch wanted to address the project in the public meeting. An adjournment would prevent this. He therefore suggested that the decision should be dispensed with. With the votes of the CDU, Greens and FDP, however, the issue was postponed entirely.
In a statement, the Greens emphasized the importance of a comprehensive fiber optic network, but also the obligation to review the comprehensive contract: “The investments cover a long-term period. The investment volume is in the double-digit millions. “The” contractual conditions and the possible financial risk “should be checked without time pressure and” alternative approaches should not be disregarded “.
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