Case Study: Netceed

Fibre optic network deployment in Germany continues to accelerate, driven by increasing demand for high-speed connectivity and ongoing infrastructure investment. According to the latest European FTTH/B Market Panorama, Germany remains one of the fastest-growing fibre markets in Europe, adding approximately 4.9 million homes passed in the past year alone. This sustained growth places increasing pressure on network builders and contractors to deliver projects efficiently while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.

Given the critical role fusion splicing equipment plays in fibre deployment, successful project delivery depends on more than equipment performance alone. Fast access to technical support, maintenance, calibration and training helps contractors minimise downtime, keep projects on schedule and maintain productivity in the field.

Sumitomo Electric, a global Japanese company with a history spanning more than 400 years, combines its rich manufacturing heritage with proven engineering expertise to advance the fibre connectivity ecosystem. To support customers throughout the lifecycle of their equipment, the company has developed a robust global service network, collaborating with specialist partners across Europe to deliver local technical expertise and responsive support. In Germany, Netceed, exemplifies this service-driven approach, helping contractors keep fusion splicing equipment operational and fibre deployment projects moving efficiently.

Challenge:

As fibre deployment activity increases across Germany and Europe, contractors and network operators face growing pressure to deliver projects, quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. In this environment, reliable equipment is essential, but access to local services and technical support is equally important.

Equipment will often require maintenance, calibration, repairs or technical support, and delays can have a direct impact on project timelines and operational efficiency. At the same time, the fusion splicing market has become increasingly competitive, with new manufacturers entering the market and competing aggressively on price.

For customers, this creates a challenge beyond equipment selection alone. They need confidence that technical expertise, training and after-sales support will be available throughout the lifespan of their equipment, helping them maintain productivity and minimise disruption in the field.

Solution:

Sumitomo Electric addresses this challenge through a service philosophy centred on long-term customer support. Working through a network of trained service partners, the company provides customers with access to local technical expertise, maintenance services, equipment repairs, diagnostics, training and ongoing guidance.

In Germany, Netceed brings this approach to life. The company has invested significantly in expanding its service capabilities to support the country’s growing fibre deployment market. Today, its service centre delivers maintenance, calibration, repairs, diagnostics and customer training – helping customers minimise downtime and keep equipment ready for deployment.

The service centre has expanded significantly in recent years to meet growing market demand. Through dedicated technical specialists, established service processes and ongoing training programmes, Netceed provides responsive, local support throughout the entire lifecycle of customers’ fusion splicing equipment, enabling issues to be resolved quickly and projects to stay on schedule.

This close collaboration enables customers to benefit not only from Sumitomo Electric’s fusion splicing technology, but also from a comprehensive local support infrastructure that helps maximise equipment uptime, reduce project delays and give contractors confidence that expert assistance is always close at hand.

Result:

The partnership between Sumitomo Electric and Netceed has helped create a strong service ecosystem for fibre deployment projects in Germany. By combining reliable fusion splicing technology with local technical expertise, responsive support and ongoing training, the collaboration helps contractors reduce downtime, resolve technical issues quickly and keep fibre deployment projects moving efficiently.

Netceed’s service centre demonstrates the investment, specialist knowledge and operational capability required to support customers professionally in a demanding and fast-growing market. The organisation currently delivers regular training sessions annually, maintains a typical service turnaround time, and provides ongoing support to customers across Germany’s expanding fibre infrastructure sector.

The impact extends well beyond equipment maintenance. Fast access to local expertise, technical support and training enables contractors to minimise disruption, maintain project schedules and maximise the long-term performance of their fusion splicing equipment.

As competition within the fusion splicing market continues to increase, comprehensive after-sales support has become an important differentiator. While some suppliers compete primarily on price, Sumitomo Electric’s investment in local service, technical training and long-term customer support gives contractors confidence that they are investing in more than equipment alone – they are investing in a complete support ecosystem.

Through its partnership with Netceed and a global network of service partners, Sumitomo Electric continues to support customers with not only high-quality fusion splicing equipment, but also the expertise, responsiveness and local presence needed to deliver successful fibre projects.

Quotes:

Christian Müller, Service Centre Manager at Netceed in Germany, explains: “Over the past few years we have invested heavily in building a service operation that supports customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their equipment. Whether it is repairs, calibration, technical support or training, our focus is on ensuring contractors always have access to the expertise they need to keep fibre deployment projects running smoothly. Strong local service is essential to delivering long-term value.”

Yakeen Patel, Product Manager at Sumitomo Electric Europe, emphasises: “Our goal is to make sure customers are never left alone once the equipment is in the field. The service centre has been developed to provide high quality, professional and technically competent support, helping customers keep their fibre deployment projects moving.”