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Case Story: Fast Internet for Deiningen – a success story of fiber optic expansion

The expansion of fiber optic networks presents many communities with major challenges – long waiting times, unclear responsibilities and a lack of communication complicate the process.

The municipality of Deiningen is showing that there's another way. Thanks to its collaboration with Cofibra, latecomer connections were implemented quickly and reliably.

Mayor Wilhelm Rehklau draws a positive conclusion: clear contacts, transparent processes, and professional implementation. A model that can inspire other municipalities.

The expansion of the fiber optic network is one of the most important infrastructure measures for rural communities. While metropolitan areas often benefit from modern broadband solutions early on, smaller towns face significant challenges: delays due to lengthy approval processes, unclear responsibilities between different service providers and companies, and sometimes inadequate communication with affected residents.

The municipality of Deiningen in the Donau-Ries district successfully mastered this process – with a partner that was not only technically competent but, above all, reliable: Cofibra. The company took over the fiber optic expansion in Deiningen as a subcontractor and ensured that all households that were not connected in the first expansion phase now have access to high-speed internet.

Mayor Wilhelm Rehklau draws a positive conclusion: "From the very beginning, the collaboration with Cofibra was professional, structured, and, above all, characterized by clear communication. We always had a direct contact person who reliably resolved all concerns."

From first contact to implementation – structure instead of chaos

The fiber optic project in Deiningen did not begin with Cofibra, but with a then-partner of the fiber optic expansion company. In the first expansion phase, the main lines were laid, but some households were left untouched—a common problem in many rural areas.

"Our partner then informed us that Cofibra would be responsible for the subsequent connections," recalls Mayor Rehklau. "At that point, we didn't know exactly at which phase of the project Cofibra would join, but then things moved very quickly." Cofibra assumed responsibility for the remaining households and immediately began the necessary preparations. The initial contact between the municipality and the company was through Michael Pedersen, one of Cofibra's key contacts.

"Mr. Pedersen came to our town hall, and together we worked through a list of the remaining connections," says Rehklau. "This was important to have a clear overview of which households still needed to be connected and what structural measures were required."

Even at this early stage, it became apparent that Cofibra worked differently than some other service providers the municipality had previously engaged with. Instead of relying on vague timelines and unclear responsibilities, clear lines of communication were established, making the entire process transparent for the municipality.

Communication at eye level: What made Cofibra different

A major criticism many municipalities have regarding fiber optic expansion is the lack of communication between the parties involved. Mayors and administrations often rely on sporadic feedback, while citizens are left in the dark with insufficient information about construction work and schedules.

In Deiningen it was different. "There were regular updates," reports Rehklau. "Every two weeks, I was informed about the current status of the project. I always knew which households had already been served, which were still pending, and where there might be delays."

A key factor was that Cofibra provided dedicated contact persons from the very beginning. "Mr. Pedersen was there for us as a municipality, but there were also clear communication channels for the residents," says Rehklau. "Instead of struggling through a central hotline, residents could contact him directly or the colleague who took care of scheduling appointments."

This direct communication made all the difference. While in other projects, citizens were often confronted with unclear or contradictory statements, the affected households in Deiningen were able to clarify their questions directly and received prompt feedback on deadlines and technical details.

Reliability on the construction site: Technology that works

In addition to the organizational aspects, the practical implementation of the project also played a crucial role. Cofibra also excelled in this area. “The technicians were reliable, punctual and presented themselves on site,” Rehklau describes. "They explained exactly what work they would be performing, and the handover was smooth. My own fiber optic connection was also activated by Cofibra, and everything went smoothly."

It was particularly important that communication didn't end at the construction site. In previous projects, the municipality had occasionally experienced construction work being carried out without any feedback being provided to the administration or the affected households. "This then led to questions and uncertainty," says Rehklau. "With Cofibra, things were different: I was always informed about the progress and knew exactly what measures were still pending."

Another plus point: The on-site technicians spoke German – something that seems a given, but is often lacking in practice. "With other providers, communication on the construction site was sometimes difficult because the workers spoke little or no German. At Cofibra, there was always someone you could communicate with, and that made the entire process easier," explains the mayor.

Fiber optics as a location factor: What the expansion means for Deiningen

For a small community like Deiningen, a powerful digital infrastructure is a crucial location factor. While cities benefit from comprehensive broadband networks, rural areas often have to wait. But fast internet is no longer just a luxury—it's a basic prerequisite for economic development and quality of life.

"We have many young families here, and a stable internet connection is essential for them," says Rehklau. "Whether for home office, digital learning, or simply everyday use – without a modern network infrastructure, a community loses its appeal in the long term."

Demand was particularly high in new residential areas. "There were repeated inquiries from residents asking when a stable fiber optic connection would finally arrive. Many opted for the fiber optic partner's network early on, but due to the late implementation, people's patience naturally reached its limit," said the mayor.

Now that the network is up and running, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. "We have many satisfied residents who are happy to finally have a stable internet connection. I'm convinced that this will continue to be an important factor in the long-term attractiveness of our community," says Rehklau.

Communication at eye level: What made Cofibra different

The municipality of Deiningen is an example of what a well-planned and professionally implemented fiber optic expansion can look like. Despite the typical challenges—latecomer connections, weather delays, and complex coordination between different providers—those involved were able to successfully complete the project.

Mayor Wilhelm Rehklau sees Cofibra as a reliable partner for municipalities involved in similar infrastructure projects.

"I would recommend Cofibra at any time. The collaboration was professional, transparent, and reliable—exactly what a municipality would want."

For many municipalities, fiber optic expansion is still a long way off. The Deiningen case shows that with the right partner, this process can be implemented efficiently and without unnecessary complications. And that's exactly what cities and municipalities need today.