We lease dark fibre

Stokab provides a dark fibre connection between two requested addresses on the fibre network. Either the customer activates the connection using their own telecom equipment or they purchase capacity from, any of the more than 100 active operators who already exist in the network. The fixed monthly fee for the connection is the same, regardless of the capacity set in the customer's equipment.

For us, and the City of Stockholm, the definition of fibre infrastructure is any and all terrestrial infrastructure. It is an infrastructure that is available to everyone, just like the infrastructure of roads, which may be used by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Our task is to build, lease and maintain a robust dark fibre network for the Stockholm region. All stakeholders in the market should be able to lease fibre from us on equal terms, as needed.

Individual stakeholders do not, therefore, need to dig up the city streets in order to install their own fibre cable, since that is our responsibility. The market can instead focus on designing its own active level and filling it with digital services.

We call it the Stokab model.

There are few, if any other companies in Europe that have this structure. Leasing only passive fibre infrastructure is actually often referred to as the Stokab model.

By only leasing black fibre, we do not compete with our customers. Fibre that is leased on equal terms to everyone also stimulates competition in the market, which, in turn, results in lower prices for broadband.

It also takes away the expense that individual stakeholders would otherwise incur by needing to dig and install cable in order to offer their services. The model creates diversity in the market, which is reflected in the fact that there are 100 operators and service providers in Stokab’s fibre network.

In addition, Stokab has around 900 corporate customers who lease black fibre from us, including banks, insurance companies, retailers, property owners and public sector entities, such as hospitals, courthouses and municipalities.

Stokab has been owned by the City of Stockholm for around 25 years. This municipal form of ownership ensures stability and a long-term approach, which contributes to stability and security in the market.

With an expansive fibre network, there is also a high level of digital maturity which facilitates new market opportunities. That, in turn, helps generate growth, jobs and sustainable development.

It is in the City’s interests to make long-term investments in infrastructure that stimulates development in the market and society at large.

Stokab's fibre is securely located underground, in tunnels and culverts, and therefore has a high level of security both in terms of availability and operation.

Today, fibre optics is by far the fastest technology for data transfer and has no limitations in terms of transmission. A fibre optic cable can contain up to 1,000 fibres where light pulses are used instead of electricity when transferring information from one point to another.