Introduction
Germany has announced a major government contract award in the higher education and digital infrastructure sector. The University of Stuttgart (Universität Stuttgart) has awarded the “Netzausbau BelWü 400G” contract for advanced network expansion services to a consortium comprising Pan Dacom Direkt GmbH, Ribbon Communications Germany GmbH, dacoso GmbH, and Electronic Product Services Limited.
The contract, published as a Contract Award Notice, carries an estimated value of EUR 9.74 million. The award decision was taken on 15 January 2026 and officially published on 16 January 2026. The project will be implemented in Germany, with Stuttgart as the central coordinating location.
Contract Details
The awarded contract is classified as a public services contract and relates to the expansion of the BelWü research and education network to next-generation 400G optical and IP routing infrastructure. The procurement reference number for the tender is 24-120.
The project scope includes the delivery of a modern WDM-based optical transport platform with ROADM technology, Flexgrid support, and the ability to dynamically switch wavelengths. The system must support Alien Wavelengths and enable high-capacity transmission using coherent 100G QSFP28 and OpenZR+ 400G QSFP-DD transceivers. A comprehensive network management solution and training services are included.
Routing Infrastructure Scope
The tender also covers the supply and integration of multiple router types, including PE routers, P routers, and Full-table routers. These systems must support advanced routing and MPLS features such as IS-IS with Segment Routing, TI-LFA, BGP, L2VPN, L3VPN, and EVPN.
Full-table routers are required to handle large-scale IPv4 and IPv6 routing tables with projected growth over five years and are designed for operation at major internet exchanges, supporting multiple full-feed BGP sessions and extensive peering.
Entities Involved
- Procuring Authority: Universität Stuttgart, Germany
- Winning Contractors: Pan Dacom Direkt GmbH; Ribbon Communications Germany GmbH; dacoso GmbH; Electronic Product Services Limited
- Contract Type: Services
- Estimated Contract Value: EUR 9,738,398.86
- CPV Code: 72000000 (IT services)
Significance of the Contract
The contract represents a significant investment in Germany’s research and education digital backbone. Upgrading BelWü to 400G capacity will enhance connectivity for universities, research institutions, and public-sector users, supporting data-intensive research, high-performance computing, and cross-border academic collaboration.
Consortium Background
The awarded consortium brings together established providers of network infrastructure, optical transport solutions, and systems integration. The companies involved have extensive experience delivering high-capacity backbone networks and complex public-sector IT projects across Germany and Europe.
Conclusion
Following contract signature, the BelWü 400G network expansion is expected to move into implementation, marking a strategic milestone in Germany’s digital infrastructure development. The award highlights the growing importance of high-speed optical and IP networks within public procurement and may pave the way for future expansion phases.
“The BelWü 400G upgrade will significantly strengthen Germany’s research network capabilities and long-term digital competitiveness,” a neutral industry analyst commented.
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