Renewal of Belnet’s cross-border Dark Fiber

1.1 Description of the assignment Within the Iot@ project, Belnet has been operating a Dark Fiber to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 2010, which is part of a collaboration between the NRENs Belnet (Belgium), DFN (Germany), RENATER (France) & RESTENA (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg). The current contract for this dark fiber route expires on September 30, 2026. To guarantee the continuity of services within the GÉANT partnership and the performance of its network, Belnet wishes to issue a new government contract in a timely manner for the provision of an equivalent or improved connection. The Dark Fiber runs between the following points: • Point A: Border crossing in Sterpenich, parking E25, manhole Sofico o GPS coordinates: 49°38'16.80'' N 5°54'19.07'' E • Point B: LuxConnect DC1, 202, Z.A.E. Wolser F, L-3290 Bettembourg The distance as the crow flies between both points is approximately 21.2 kilometers. Duration: Belnet wishes to conclude a contract for a basic period of 10 years. In addition, there is an additional period to align the end of the contract (see Item 5 of the inventory) with the end of the existing cooperation agreement between Belnet and the Région Wallonne for its backbone fibers (31/12/2037). In total 11.25 years. Start date: October 1, 2026 End date: December 31, 2037 1.1.1 Objective This assignment aims to supply, implement, make available and maintain a Dark Fiber connection between the connection point in Sterpenich (Province of Luxembourg, Belgium) and the LuxConnect DC1 data center in Bettembourg (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg). The connection will be part of Belnet's international connectivity and must meet the highest standards of reliability, scalability and security. Belnet will have an exclusive right of use of the allocated fibers for the entire term of the contract. 1.1.2 Ownership and right of use The ON remains e