HANNOVER, GERMANY – While much of the European telecommunications sector is still grappling with the initial deployment of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure, a select group of early adopters is already entering the next phase of the digital revolution. Among them is htp, a regional operator based in Hannover, which began its fiber journey a decade before the technology became the industry standard. Today, htp is providing a blueprint for the "second migration"—the transition from first-generation fiber architectures to high-capacity, software-defined XGS-PON networks.
In a landmark session at the BREKO Arbeitstag, Jochen Krauss, head of network planning at htp, joined forces with Udo Abt, senior consultant of sales engineering at Calix, to detail how the operator is evolving its network for the next decade. The move signals a shift in the market: the question is no longer just about "getting fiber in the ground," but about how to manage, scale, and modernize that fiber to meet the exponential demands of the 2030s.
I. Main Facts: The Strategic Pivot to XGS-PON
The core of htp’s recent transformation lies in its departure from its original architectural choice—point-to-point (P2P) Ethernet—in favor of native XGS-PON (10-Gigabit-capable Symmetric Passive Optical Network). This decision was not merely a technical upgrade but a strategic response to the evolving economics of broadband delivery.
Key Highlights of the Transition:
- Customer Base: htp currently serves approximately 123,400 residential and 9,710 business customers.
- Fiber Maturity: 63% of htp’s connections are already activated FTTH lines, a penetration rate that far exceeds the German national average.
- The Technology Shift: For all new construction and network densification, htp has bypassed GPON (2.5G) entirely, moving straight to native XGS-PON.
- Operational Efficiency: By utilizing the Calix One™ platform, htp has moved toward a software-defined access (SDA) model, allowing for rapid service activation and simplified management.
- Sustainability: The transition has resulted in a dramatic reduction in power consumption and physical footprint within central offices.
By choosing native XGS-PON, htp has positioned itself to offer symmetric 10 Gbps services, ensuring that residential users and high-demand business clients alike have access to the same high-performance infrastructure.
II. Chronology: From P2P Pioneer to XGS-PON Leader
The evolution of htp’s network can be viewed in three distinct eras, reflecting the broader maturation of the fiber industry in Europe.
2010–2015: The Early Adoption Phase
Ten years ago, when the German market was still heavily reliant on copper-based DSL and vectoring, htp began deploying FTTH. At the time, Point-to-Point (P2P) Ethernet was the preferred architecture for high-end deployments. It offered dedicated fibers for every customer, providing unmatched bandwidth but requiring massive amounts of space and power in the central office. During this period, htp established itself as a regional powerhouse, connecting the Hannover area with future-proof glass.
2016–2022: The Scaling Challenge
As htp’s subscriber base grew to over 130,000, the limitations of the P2P model became apparent. The sheer volume of hardware required to terminate thousands of individual fiber lines led to "rack bloat"—central offices were filling up with equipment, and energy costs were climbing. The operator began evaluating PON (Passive Optical Network) technologies to increase density and reduce costs without sacrificing the "premium" nature of their fiber service.
2023–Present: The XGS-PON Era
Following a rigorous evaluation process and a "battle of arguments" between engineering teams, htp officially committed to native XGS-PON. This phase is characterized by "densification"—adding more customers to existing areas with greater efficiency—and ensuring that all new "greenfield" builds utilize the 10-Gigabit standard. In partnership with Calix, htp integrated a software-driven platform that abstracts the underlying hardware, making the transition seamless for operational staff.
III. Supporting Data: The Economic and Technical Case
The decision to move to XGS-PON was backed by a comprehensive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis. According to Jochen Krauss, the real-world results have actually outperformed the initial projections.
1. Massive Footprint Reduction
In a traditional P2P Ethernet setup, serving 2,000 subscribers requires approximately 32 rack units (RU) of equipment in the central office. This includes the switches, patch panels, and active cooling required to maintain the hardware.
In contrast, XGS-PON allows htp to serve those same 2,000 subscribers using roughly one rack unit. This 97% reduction in physical space allows the operator to delay or entirely avoid expensive central office expansions.
2. Cost Efficiency
The TCO analysis projected a cost reduction of more than 40% across network build and operations. These savings stem from:
- Passive Field Networks: The use of distributed splitters eliminates the need for powered and cooled street cabinets. The field network is now almost entirely passive, reducing maintenance visits and electricity bills.
- Lower ONT Prices: While XGS-PON Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) were once significantly more expensive than GPON units, the price gap has closed faster than industry analysts predicted, making the 10G standard economically viable for mass-market residential use.
3. Performance Metrics
By implementing a 1:64 split ratio on a symmetric 10 Gbps line, htp can maintain a high quality of service even during peak hours. Because the capacity is symmetric, the network is uniquely suited for the modern "upload-heavy" world of cloud computing, video conferencing, and content creation.
IV. Official Responses: The Philosophy of Simplicity
During the BREKO Arbeitstag, the dialogue between htp’s Jochen Krauss and Calix’s Udo Abt highlighted a fundamental shift in how telcos view technology.
Jochen Krauss on Strategic Planning:
"Technology generations turning over is simply the nature of infrastructure," Krauss observed. "The advantage belongs to operators who plan the transition rather than react to it. We aren’t just reacting to a crisis of capacity; we are executing a planned evolution that aligns with our equipment lifecycles."
Udo Abt on Operational Simplicity:
Abt emphasized that for an operator with a relatively lean staff (approximately 250 employees), the complexity of the technology cannot be allowed to overwhelm the workforce. "The Calix One platform abstracts the access technology. htp’s team configures PON services in the same familiar terms as Ethernet. That is what consumers already expect from their smartphones, where 4G became 5G without anyone relearning how to use the device."
The "No Lock-in" Mandate:
A critical requirement for htp during the procurement phase was the avoidance of vendor lock-in. htp demanded open management interfaces and hardware that could support hardened outdoor deployments. This ensures that the operator remains in control of its own destiny, able to integrate diverse optical components without being tied to a single manufacturer’s proprietary ecosystem.
V. Implications: The "Second Migration" is Coming
The experience of htp serves as a harbinger for the rest of the European telecommunications market. As the first wave of fiber deployments reaches the ten-to-fifteen-year mark, hundreds of operators will face the same crossroads htp encountered.
The Death of the "Speed Only" Race
The htp model suggests that the next decade of competition won’t just be about who can offer the fastest speed, but who can operate the most efficient and flexible network. By moving to a software-defined, XGS-PON architecture, htp has created a "programmable" network.
The Path to 50G and AI
One of the most significant implications of htp’s current strategy is the "built-in" upgrade path. The current infrastructure is designed to allow 50G PON to run in parallel on the same fiber strands when business demand or mobile backhaul requirements necessitate it. Furthermore, the software foundation integrated today is already capable of supporting AI-driven predictive operations, which can identify potential line faults before the customer even notices a service degradation.
A Lesson for Europe
For the German market, which has often been criticized for its slow fiber roll-out, htp’s success is a point of pride. It demonstrates that regional players can be more agile and innovative than national incumbents. The message from the BREKO stage was clear: the first decade of fiber was about construction; the second decade will be about modernization.
As htp continues its multi-year migration program, it stands as proof that the transition from legacy fiber to next-generation XGS-PON does not have to be a disruptive crisis. With the right partnership and a focus on operational simplicity, it can be a structured, profitable, and future-proof evolution.
