Residents had been hoping for a swift start to the fibre-optic roll-out in Mölschbach. The decision to put this project on hold was not an easy one for the SWK Group.
“We know that the people of Mölschbach were firmly counting on the roll-out going ahead swiftly. We are therefore all the more sorry that, despite the successful pre-marketing campaign, we are unable to go ahead. The reason is the outcome of the tendering process. The necessary investment in civil engineering and network expansion has risen significantly. The costs differ considerably from our initial planning at the start of the project. Under these conditions, implementation is not economically viable at present,” says Jürgen Storck, the divisional manager responsible for strategy and networks at the municipal utility.
Despite intensive efforts, the company was unable to obtain viable bids in the tendering process for this pilot project. The municipal utility company was well aware in advance that the conditions for the fibre-optic roll-out would be challenging. That is why Mölschbach was initially chosen as the pilot area, to gain experience for other districts. Nevertheless, the SWK Group was confident that it would be able to implement the roll-out in the Mölschbach district quickly.
Right up until the last minute, the municipal utility tried everything to launch the pilot project this year after all. Unfortunately, the discrepancy between the actual quotes and the original plans was too great, particularly with regard to civil engineering costs.
Dr Arvid Blume, Managing Director of SWK Stadtwerke Kaiserslautern, emphasises: “We will continue to examine whether there are still ways and means of implementing the project at a later date. Cost increases in the construction industry have now thwarted all our plans. But ultimately, we bear responsibility for managing the capital entrusted to us prudently and ensuring sustainable financial management. This is also in the interests of the city of Kaiserslautern. We therefore currently see no other option but to terminate the project.”