Broadband Expansion: Broadband Development in Rural Areas

For fast internet in the rural region of the Höxter district
with 22,200 household connections, sewikom took an intelligent approach to meet the demanding federal requirements. With the trenchless installation of the ege-com® Microduct Multi protec, sewikom found a fast, cost-efficient, and sustainable solution.

The German federal government’s goal was to provide all households with a broadband connection of 50 megabits per second by 2018. This goal will likely no longer be achievable, and it is primarily the rural regions that are being left behind. Therefore, it is essential to utilize new and existing technologies, such as trenchless installation methods and modern pipe systems, to drive expansion forward in an economically efficient and sustainable manner. Economical Solution Due to the rural nature of the region, broadband expansion in the Höxter district involves a high level of investment. In order to implement a project of this magnitude with over 22,200 house connections, the use of federal subsidies was necessary. Since the allocation of funding depends, among other things, on the efficiency of the use of funds, the average costs per house connection, and sustainability, the use of trenchless installation techniques was a key criterion. This made it possible to counteract cost drivers such as long cable routes with a small number of buildings. Sustainability through trenchless installation For the large proportion of trenchless installation, Dipl.-Ing. Kai-Timo Wilke, Managing Director of sewikom, sought a suitable pipe system for all trenchless installation techniques (plowing, milling, and horizontal directional drilling) for standard soils as well as rocky ground. With its double jacket, ege-com® Microduct protec offers mechanical protection for the high demands of trenchless installation. The abrasion-resistant outer layer provides additional protection against notches and grooves, such as those that can occur during HDD and plowing processes. In addition, point loads caused by stones in the ground are distributed across the pipe. With the concept of trenchless installation of a resistant pipe system, sewikom was awarded the contracts for the project. Dipl.-Ing. Kai-Timo Wilke is satisfied: “The product properties and the delivery capability convinced me! The targeted high installation rates were achieved as planned.”