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Talkline builds its own fibre network

Summary

In January 2000 Talkline GmbH from Elmshorn announced its own 2,700-kilometre fibre network in Germany. It was to become part of the international “TeamNet” network of its parent company Tele Danmark, which through SBC belonged to the third-largest telecommunications group in the world. The aim was greater independence from competitors on the liberalised German telecommunications market.

Ideas

  • After liberalisation, competitors built their own networks instead of renting other companies’ lines.
  • A national network became part of a European group network.
  • Own infrastructure was meant to reduce costs and dependencies.

Insights

  • Whoever owns their own lines controls prices and quality themselves.
  • The market opening in 1998 triggered a surge of investment in fibre backbones.

Facts

  • The network was to be 2,700 kilometres long.
  • The network was to connect Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Munich and other conurbations.

References

Critique

  • The report mainly reproduces management quotes and gives neither capacity nor schedule in detail.

Recommendations

  • With providers, check whether they operate their own infrastructure or buy in wholesale services.
  • For important sites, rely on providers with different network infrastructure.

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