FRITZ! celebrates 40 years of router innovation and digital sovereignty

The router brand FRITZ! is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Developed in Berlin with production rooted in Europe, the brand has distributed more than 25 million devices worldwide.

Since its inception in 1986, the company has focused on open standards, including IPv6 and Wi-Fi 7 protocols. The brand emphasizes digital sovereignty and router freedom, advocating for users' ability to choose their own hardware rather than being restricted to devices provided by internet service providers. This advocacy has been supported through initiatives such as the SAFENet Alliance and the establishment of VTKE in the Benelux and wider European regions.

The company's history includes the 1995 release of the FRITZ!Card and the 2004 introduction of the FRITZ!Box, which integrated a modem, wireless router, and telephony system into a single device. Modern iterations now serve as central hubs for smart home environments.