02/15/2012

QSC operates Open-Access-capable fiber optic network for Stadtwerke Herne

Cologne, February 15, 2012. QSC AG, provider of comprehensive ICT services, is assuming operation of a modern fiber optic network for Stadtwerke Herne AG. In the North Rhine-Westphalian city of Herne, the utilities provider has connected a new, multigenerational housing development with fiber optic cables running into the apartments' infrastructure - so-called "fiber to the home" (FTTH). These lines will serve residents with Internet connections of 100 Mbit/s as well as telephone and digital TV services. This makes the public utilities provider in Herne a pioneer in Germany in this area of technology. It was assisted in this project by the Frankfurt-based consulting company KPR. KPR specializes in the design and implementation of fiber-optic-based business models.

Based on its Next Generation Network (NGN) technology, QSC is positioned to connect this network to networks running other technologies and therefore make it Open-Access-capable. In Herne, QSC is initially assuming complete operation of the network, including its connection to the QSC backbone, voice transport, feeding the satellite TV signal, as well as supporting end customers as a service provider for Stadtwerke Herne.

The technical realization of this project on the network level was carried out in close cooperation with other technology partners who supplied the necessary equipment as well as the rights for feeding the TV signal into the FTTH network.

"Supplying broadband networks is an important step for Stadtwerke Herne in its ability to continue to offer intelligent solutions relating to energy management in the future," says Dr. Jürgen Bock, Chief Technician at Stadtwerke Herne. "We expect valuable knowledge to result from this project for our ongoing work with broadband technologies. Our previous experiences as a provider of passive fiber optic structures will be perfectly complemented with the triple-play offer from our partner QSC AG and will make Herne one of the most advanced cities in Germany in what regards telecommunications."

"We were able to secure this project thanks to our NGN technology and the wealth of experience we have as a network operator. In this case, we are making our experience available independent of our own infrastructure," says Arnold Stender, Member of the Management Board at QSC AG, in explaining the strategic importance of this field.

As in other Open Access projects in Leipzig and Hamburg, QSC AG also sees itself in Herne as a network and service integrator. With its proven IT, ordering, and switching processes, it makes installed fiber optic infrastructures usable for NGA providers such as Stadtwerke Herne.

About QSC: ICT solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises
QSC AG, Cologne, is a service provider for voice and data communication, as well as ICT services. Established in 1997, the company has been focusing on small and mid-size business customers. QSC is the first provider to operate an Open Access platform, which unites a wide range of broadband technologies to offer national and international site networking, including Managed Services. QSC additionally supplies its customers and distribution partners with a comprehensive product portfolio that can be modularly adapted to every need. QSC was the first provider in Germany to build its own Next Generation Network (NGN), and therefore enjoys long years of experience in connection with IP-based telephony solutions, in particular. QSC AG has been listed on the TecDAX index since 2004. The QSC group employs a workforce of some 1,300 people.

About KPR
KPR is a strategic management consulting firm that is specialized in the telecommunications and energy sector. KPR drafts new business models for its customers. The support from KPR ranges from conceptualization to drawing up a business case and even operational implementation. The realization of fiber-optic-based business models with public utility companies is a current focus of operations for the company. KPR has been involved from the early planning stages with numerous projects in this area across Germany.

About Stadtwerke Herne
The public utilities are the municipal energy provider in and for Herne. For more than 100 years, the utilities have reliably delivered power and gas as well as water, waste, and heating services through associated companies. Along with personal assistance, comprehensive services regarding Internet access, and an incentives program, contracting offers also contribute to the proximity to customers. Services relating to the topic of energy efficiency round out the range of offers.

For further information, please contact:
QSC AG
Arne Thull
Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +49 221 6698-724
Fax: +49 221 6698-009
E-mail: invest@qsc.de
Internet: www.qsc.de