1&1 and Telekom continue cooperation in fixed network
Jochen Homann: "Consumers will benefit from the cooperation between the companies"
Year of issue 2021
Date of issue 2021.02.15
Deutsche Telekom and 1&1 Versatel today announced that they will continue their fixed network cooperation for ten years. The contract concerns the use of fibre to the home (FTTH) and VDSL.
"The companies are giving themselves planning certainty that will allow them to invest in fibre infrastructure. People will benefit from this cooperation,"
explained Jochen Homann, Bundesnetzagentur President.
"The Bundesnetzagentur has been moderating the negotiations intensively in recent weeks, setting the course for the contract to be concluded. We make sure that competition remains fair, even when contractual agreements are voluntary."
The continuation of the fixed network cooperation shows that voluntary market solutions are possible. The agreements between Telekom and Vodafone, and Telekom and Telefónica, which also relate to the use of FTTH and VDSL connections, had already been extended. The cooperation enables Telekom to make optimum use of its networks and push forward with the expansion of the fibre network. The advantage for 1&1 Versatel is that it can offer its customers a high-speed network.
The Bundesnetzagentur will also monitor the relationship between wholesale and retail prices and step in if anti-competitive price squeezing should occur.