A project commissioned by:
Fiber Optic Forum 2026
November 19, 2026
COMCENTER Brühl | Mainzerhofstraße 10 | Erfurt
Fiber optic is the foundation for Thuringia's digital future. But how is the expansion developing in the Free State? What progress has been made, and what challenges remain?
The Thuringia Fiber Optic Forum brings together municipal representatives, network operators, academia, and experts from practice and administration. The focus is on current developments in fiber optic expansion, reports from municipalities, and professional exchange.
As a central platform for dialogue and networking, the Thuringian Fiber Optic Forum promotes knowledge transfer between stakeholders and contributes to the further development of digital infrastructure in the Free State.
Program
| Time | Agenda item |
|---|---|
| from 09:30 | Admission & Registration |
| 10:00 | Opening LEG Thüringen |
| 10:05 | Welcome Steffen Schütz | Thuringian Minister for Digital Affairs and Infrastructure |
| 10:30 | Current information at federal level & audience questions Alexandra Mause | Head of Department Federal Ministry for Digitalisation and State Modernisation (BMDS) |
| 11:15 | Impulses from Thuringia Milen Starke | State Secretary Thuringian Ministry for Digital Affairs and Infrastructure (TMDI) |
| 11:45 | Break |
| 12:00 | The subsidised fibre optic expansion with the Thuringian Fibre Optic Company Dr. Anja Pölck | Authorised Signatory Thuringian Fibre Optic Company mbH (TGG) |
| 12:30 | Best Practice: Faster Building in Gotha Ulf Zillmann | Mayor of Gotha Axel Wenzke | Group Representative for the East Region Deutsche Telekom AG |
| 13:00 | Podium |
| 14:00 | Closing remarks |
| 14:10 | Food & Networking |
| 15:30 | End of the event |
Registration
The event is limited to a maximum of 170 places – it pays to be quick.
Reference
Directions
By public transport
The LEG is a 2-minute walk from the tram stop "Theater“. From the main station, you can reach it with line 2 (P+R-Platz Messe). Alternatively, the stop "Domplatz Nord“ is a 5-minute walk away and is served by lines 3 (Europaplatz) and 6 (Rieth).
to the timetable information of the Erfurt transport company
By car
The LEG is located on the edge of the historic old town between the Cathedral and the New Theatre. In Erfurt, follow the signs for "Center" and "Domplatz Parking Garage" or "Theater Parking Garage".
to route planning in Google Maps
Parking options
Parking facilities in the immediate vicinity of the LEG are provided by the "Domplatz" and "Theater" parking garages. The LEG building is located in a paid parking zone. If you find a parking space on the street, you must purchase a parking ticket.
That was the Fiber Optic Forum 2025
Challenges of subsidized and self-financed expansion in Thuringian municipalities
Andre Knapp (document is not barrier-free)
Challenges of subsidized and self-financed expansion in Thuringian municipalities
Vision for sustainable and functional competition in the fiber optic world
Dr. Cara Schwarz-Schilling (document is not barrier-free)
Vision for sustainable and functional competition in the fiber optic world
| from 09:00 | Admission & Registration |
| 10:00 AM | Welcome Denis Peisker - Thuringian State Development Corporation mbH |
| 10:05 AM | Welcome Address Minister Steffen Schütz - Thuringian Ministry for Digital Affairs and Infrastructure (TMDI) |
| 10:30 a.m | Amendment to the Telecommunications Act Jasmin Kobialka - Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Modernization of the State (BMDS) |
| 11:00 a.m | Vision for sustainable and functional competition in the fiber optic world Dr. Cara Schwarz-Schilling - Director of the Scientific Institute for Infrastructure and Communication Services (WIK) |
| 11:30 AM | The Thuringian Fiber Optic Pact State Secretary Milen Starke - Thuringian Ministry for Digital Affairs and Infrastructure (TMDI) |
| 12:00 PM | Challenges of subsidized and self-financed expansion in Thuringian municipalities Andre Knapp - Mayor of the City of Suhl |
| 12:30 PM | Short Break |
| 12:40 PM | Panel Discussion: Fiber Optic Expansion in Thuringia Dr. Steffen Kania - Thuringian Association of Municipalities and Cities Christian Herrgott - Thuringian District Association Frank Emrich - Association of Thuringian Housing Industry Stefan Reindl - TEAG Thuringian Energy AG / Thuringian Netkom Dr. Marc Drögemöller - Deutsche Telekom Christof Sommerberg - Deutsche Glasfaser Jens Bergerhoff - OXG / Vodafone Moderation: Marius Müller - Thuringian Ministry for Digital Affairs and Infrastructure (TMDI) |
| 2:10 PM | Closing Remarks Marius Müller - Thuringian Ministry for Digital Affairs and Infrastructure (TMDI) |
| 2:15 PM | Food & Networking |
| 3:30 PM | End of the event |
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