Reflecting on ANGA COM 2024: Advancements in Fiber Optics and Beyond

A couple of weeks after the event, we are still impressed by this year's edition of ANGA COM. Taking place from May 14 to 16, 2024, it was an impressive event in more than one way: many exhibitors, many visitors, and many stands prepared with great flair. With its long-standing tradition, the trade show and conference in Cologne attracted over 480 exhibitors and 23,000 participants from 80 countries. Among them were fixed telecom operators, hardware and software vendors, and companies offering the entire ecosystem for network building and maintenance. The keyword was not AI or automation; it was fiber.

The main topics of ANGA COM
Innovative solutions for broadband service provision

The conference focused on broadband service providers, fiber network operators, fiber network planning and construction companies, and content providers. There were quite a few exhibitors showcasing infrastructure components – both passive and active. In this area, innovative solutions, such as robot patching on ODF (optical distribution frame) or AR (augmented reality) goggles to aid technicians working on sites attracted particular attention.

Fiber optic network development in Germany

There have been many discussions about investments in fiber optic networks in Germany. It was largely noticeable that even smaller German telecommunications companies invest in fiber networks and are planning (or are already providing) broadband services. An interesting topic was the much-discussed concept of Open Access, a shared access fiber-optic network made available to many entities providing telecommunications and video services. Sweden was often cited as an example of good practice in this area.

Investments in fiber optics networks

In Germany and the Netherlands, the development of fiber networks has been a major focus of investment for many years. New technologies and innovations are continually emerging to connect more homes to the network. Growing development companies are seeking more advanced tools for managing their organizational processes. A crucial topic discussed was the distinction between "homes passed" (addresses with network coverage) and "homes activated" (contracted internet access).

What are Comarch’s takeaways from ANGA COM?

The growing need to develop a reliable and fast fiber optics infrastructure created space for introducing Comarch's offer to service providers and technology vendors who were present at ANGA COM.

"The conversations at ANGA COM extended beyond just infrastructure to crucial industry concepts, such as Open Access Networks, advocating for a more collaborative and accessible fiber optic network. Drawing inspiration from successful models, we engaged in meaningful discussions about the potential of shared access networks to transform telecommunications and video services provision in Europe," commented Grzegorz Szymczak, Product Manager at Comarch.

Comarch's portfolio of products for telecommunications features cutting-edge solutions for field service management, which attendees were particularly interested in. Among the discussions regarding fiber optics network development, the IT solutions provided by Comarch attracted a lot of attention.

Szymon Uczciwek, Head of Field Service Management at Comarch, recalls: "We are delighted to have been a part of ANGA COM this year. The immense scope and scale of the event were awe-inspiring on their own, but the real value was in the numerous networking opportunities that led to many new contacts. Our stand was consistently busy with attendees seeking solutions to their problems, highlighting that the telecom market in Europe is still on a strong path of growth and innovation." 

Our participation in ANGA COM 2024 turned out to be incredibly beneficial. The Comarch team seized valuable opportunities to expand our horizons through a wide range of lectures and discussions, both at our stand and the designated coffee corner. We are looking forward to participating in the upcoming edition and are excited to continue contributing to the evolution of telecommunications.