LilaConnect: No construction start in Steyr for the time being, fiber optic network in Dietach sold

Austria’s leading communications provider A1 and the Swedish technology company VX Fiber announced via broadcast on Wednesday regarding A1’s takeover of the fiber optic network in Dietach and a larger, long-term cooperation. Nothing should change for customers; they would even benefit from additional offers from A1. VX Fiber will continue to be the operator and service platform of the fiber optic network. It was agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

VX Fiber is the company that has been operating in Dietach since 2022 under the name LandConnect. Around 30 kilometers of fiber optic network, 1,500 households and some businesses in the community are looked following here.

In Steyr, VX Fiber is known as LilaConnect. In autumn 2022, together with the Steyr political leadership and State Secretary Florian Tursky, it was announced that the city would be made Austria’s first “gigabit city” with fiber optics. The stated goal was around 24,500 connections over a construction period of three to four years with an investment volume of 50 million euros.

After rumors regarding LilaConnect coming to an emergency stop last summer became public, LilaConnect spokeswoman Birgit Rutter was forced to deny it: The plan to start construction in autumn 2023 is still in place, as confirmed by Martin Stadlmann, who is responsible for the expansion. According to managing director Michael Haiss, “the pre-marketing goal for the first area had already been achieved”, the interim balance was correct and Steyr was successfully heading towards the digital future.

Of course, little or nothing has happened since then. There is no sign of construction starting, customers are being put off with the fact that they should receive more information by the end of the first quarter of 2024. LilaConnect will soon provide information regarding how to proceed.