Internet joy turns into trouble: trouble for damage in Streekermoor

Von Kl Redaktion

The introduction of fast internet is now one of the basic services that many households do not want to do without. But what happens if these promises have their dark sides? For Martin Polat from Streekermoor, a promising connection with EWE becomes a nightmare in reality. Since February he has been fighting for compensation for considerable damage caused by an unfortunate installation of fiber optic lines.

In December 2022, the 30-year-old decided to accept the offer of a large telecommunications company. After a conversation with a sales representative, his choice falls on the EWE without guessing that this could lead to serious problems for him and his family. A year later, the worries have become a reality: his driveway is damaged by careless work and his house has become uninhabitable at times.

A risk becomes a problem

The first concerns arise at Polat when a subcontractor of the northwest fiber opt of connection work in January 2023 starts. He quickly realizes that there are problems: the workers do not speak German, which makes communication considerably more difficult. An foreman soothes him with the statement that you know exactly where the underground pipes run, but Polat remains skeptical. "Since I am a craftsman, I didn't want to be the difficult customer and agreed," he says.

The internet connection works without any problems, but when the rain season starts, the first signs of anger are evident. On January 19, 2024, Polat discovered toilet paper remains during repair work on its driveway, which indicate serious constipation. On closer inspection, he finds out that the fiber optic lines have pierced the sewage pipes - a direct episode of the latest work. "As a craftsman, I initially took the Situation with humor," he explains, but this humor disappears in view of the costs incurred by the damage and the associated anger.

To his astonishment, it soon turns out that even with his neighbors the waste water no longer flows down properly. In his need, Polat engages an emergency service that eliminates constipation. He also intervenes a lawyer to legally clarify the matter. The latter recommends that the company set a period of six weeks to fix the damage.

The reactions of the companies

While Polat struggles with the consequences of the damage, we ask the companies concerned to comment. EWE corporate spokesman Mathias Radowski explains that you cannot provide any further information about the current state of the damage and refer to the feedback from fiber northwest. Their press spokeswoman, Marina Zwackhoven-Beratz, admits that the problem was caused by a partner company. It is regrettable about the delay. "We are in comparison negotiations and are optimistic to find a solution soon," she explains.

Polat, on the other hand, feels great resentment about the handling of the companies with its concern. He reports that the companies are trying to question his bill and to screw down the costs to a minimum. "These companies must be able to react quickly and adequately in such situations," he demands. For Polat it is clear that it is not acceptable how it is treated; After all, it is a serious affair that affects his family.

The consequences for those affected

The situation has a significant impact for Martin Polat and his family that go beyond the financial aspects. The trouble about the ongoing problems and the uncertainty about whether an agreement can be reached are heavily on them. The entire incident illustrates how important it is that large corporations take responsibility and offer professional solutions in the event of damage.

background information on fiber optic expansion

The expansion of fiber optic networks in Germany is a central element of the federal government's digital infrastructure strategy. The aim is to provide long -term high -speed internet in the long term, not only in urban, but also in rural areas. The need for fast internet, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic, gained importance as a home office and digital learning. The promotion of telecommunications companies by public funds is intended to help overcome the technical and financial hurdles in fiber optic expansion.

According to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the number of households that have access to broadband internet services increased significantly from 2017 to 2021. In many regions, however, conventional copper cables are still used that do not provide the speeds required for modern applications. Current data show that by 2021 around 36 percent of German households had a connection with more than 100 Mbit/s, which increases the pressure on telecommunications companies and their partners to expand their networks faster.

statistics on the subject of internet access and fiber optic expansion

Deutsche Telekom AG published a study in 2022 that showed that over 80 percent of the German population regarded fast internet as a decisive prerequisite for the quality of life. A survey by the Digitalverband Bitkom shows that 66 percent of those surveyed are of the opinion that faster internet is urgently needed in rural regions. In addition, there were surveys that 45 percent of companies in Germany have difficulty finding suitable employees due to inadequate digital infrastructure. This information illustrates the social and economic pressure to advance fiber optic expansion in the country. (Source: bitkom )

In addition, a survey by Statista from 2023 shows that over 5 million households in Germany now have access to a fiber optic connection and continues to increase demand. In order to meet the demand, several large telecommunications companies have announced that they significantly increase their investments in fiber optic expansion, which indicates a growing awareness of the importance of this technology.

The role of partner companies in the expansion

When implementing fiber optic projects, many telecommunications companies work with external partners and subcontractors who are responsible for physical expansion. However, these partnerships are often necessary to meet the high demand for faster internet, but have challenges. The responsibilities can extend over several levels, which can lead to confusion and uncertainties in the event of damage or mistakes.

In the case of Martin Polat, illustrated how important it is to establish clear communication structures between the client and subcontractors. The lack of German language skills among the subcontractors' workers shows that language barriers in the implementation of technical work can often lead to misunderstandings. This not only leads to inadequate work, but can also have legal and financial consequences for the residents concerned. Experts therefore advise you to take quality control and communication seriously from the start in large infrastructure projects in order to minimize subsequent complications.