From Genk to major
The Fiber adventure of APK Group
A scintillating start in Genk
In January 2024, our team of fibre specialists put the first spade cut to C-Mine in City of Genk. With this, a major telecom project commissioned by Fibre ready officially launched. As many 20,000 homes will be provided with fibre over a distance of 300 kilometres over a period of three years. Bart Leest (implementation manager and fibre blower) and Jeroen van Gilbergen (customer manager) are leading the project.
CEO Maarten Broens stresses the importance of less disruption: "Of course, we can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, but cause as little disruption as possible for residents and passers-by is a priority in all our fibre projects. We also motivate everyone to bring this digital highway into their homes." Mayor Wim Dries shares this enthusiasm.
Six weeks later, good news was already sounding from Genk. More than 5 kilometres of optical fibre had already been successfully laid, an achievement that did not go unnoticed by our team:
Project manager Jeroen Van Gilbergen shared proudly: "It target of our teams is 1.5 kilometres of fibreglass per week.” Site manager Bart Leest added: "The mining underground in Genk forms a challenge. While digging, we come across all kinds of mining waste from the past. This sometimes complicates the excavations, but we enjoy the challenge."
How does fibre internet work?
Want to know more about exactly how a fibre connection works? Then watch our explainer videos:
– The construction underground: Flash-fast Fiber construction
- The connection to your home: Fiber to the home
Or read here further on our fibreglass page.
A look to the future
While our Dutch telecom department is slowly looking forward to new adventures and slowly completing the construction of fibre networks (the Netherlands is already almost fully glazed), our Belgian fibre teams are not yet at their peak. We are ready for more fibre assignments and to take on even more providing more residents with a superfast connection in the future!
