Fiber optic expansion in Altena stopped: bankruptcy brings chaos!

Fiber optic expansion in Altena stopped: bankruptcy brings chaos!

There is currently total chaos in the fiber optic expansion in Altena and Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde. The insolvency of the subcontractor Phoenix Engineering GmbH abruptly stopped the work. Provisional insolvency administrator Dr. Jörg Gollnick is trying to stabilize business operations, but uncertainty is growing among employees, subcontractors and landlords come-on.de.

Since the insolvency proceedings were opened in September 2025, it remains unclear what will happen next with the construction sites. Not only has the work been suspended, but over 2.6 million euros in outstanding liabilities in the Rhein-Lahn district are also causing dissatisfaction among the subcontractors. Construction depot manager Robert Groppe is already expressing his doubts as to whether the work can ever be continued again. “Pure amateurism,” he calls the situation, which further endangers the security situation on the construction sites ben-kurier.de.

The effects of bankruptcy

The insolvency of Phoenix Engineering not only affects the construction sites in Altena and Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde, but also has far-reaching consequences for the approximately 320 employees. The measures to protect wages until October 2025 make worries about rent arrears and outstanding payments seem even more disturbing. Additional difficulties arise from unclear communication channels with banks, which often do not offer advance financing for the salaries of foreign employees. In many cases, these are particularly hard hit by the situation because they are left with rent arrears and no income ben-kurier.de.

“Our Green Fiberglass” (UGG), Phoenix Engineering’s main client, has evaluated the situation and tried to continue the construction work with other companies. Unfortunately, there is still no information about possible successor companies for Altena. In Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde, existing ditches are to be closed by local civil engineers before winter in order to maintain traffic safety. In contrast, UGG has no direct ties to the authorities, which makes progress with publicly funded expansion options even more difficult come-on.de.

Open questions and uncertain future

Phoenix Engineering's massive economic difficulties raises many questions - both about the current status of fiber optic expansion and about structural problems in the industry. Managing director Ilias Lekas ​​emphasizes that there is an intention to carry out a complete renovation, but the reality is different. The countless reports about payment plans not being adhered to and the repeated strikes by employees speak for themselves. Affected subcontractors report damage amounting to around three million euros ben-kurier.de.

It remains to be hoped that those responsible will find solutions as quickly as possible to get work in Altena and Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde up and running again and thus support not only the unsettled employees, but also the local infrastructure. Until then, the situation remains tense and residents look at the developments surrounding each of these construction sites with a mixture of hope and skepticism come-on.de as well [ben-kurier.de].