Germany Telecoms News

O2 Germany sees next decade as a growth phase following years of network build and integration. Outlines plans to start building 5G in five cities during 2020. Huawei and Nokia selected to build the 5G RAN, although the China‑based vendor remains a political hot potato in Germany.

Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica fails to meet 2015 licence obligations
Operator cites a variety of reasons for delays as it falls short of the progress of its rivals in meeting targets for households and transport infrastructure across the nation. O2 promises to fulfil obligations by end‑2020. Coverage obligations are part of ongoing 5G legal wrangles.
Public Affairs
Telefónica Deutschland commits to sustainability loan
Telefónica Deutschland claimed to be the first German telecoms company to have signed a “sustainability-linked loan”, in an effort to link financing costs with its environment, social, and governance (ESG) rating.
Partnerships & Alliances
O2 Germany partners with CTS Eventim
Telefónica Deutschland (O2 Germany) and German event ticketing platform provider CTS Eventim have forged a partnership to run for the next several years.
Public Affairs
Operators own up to 2015 coverage target misses
NatCo claims to have met household coverage targets set at 2015 auction. None of Germany’s three MNOs meets 100% targets along transport routes. BNetzA yet to test operators’ coverage claims.
Strategy & Change
Telekom Deutschland to close nearly 100 stores in digital shift
NatCo goes omnichannel; pushes button on reorganisation around digital. Few details offered but recalibration looks significant for people, organisation, and technology. Union agreement firmed up pre-announcement.
Partnerships & Alliances
Telekom Deutschland tries out fibre-sharing with Deutsche Glasfaser
First pilot in Lüdinghausen covers households and businesses. Harmonisation of technology and processes underway. Similar collaboration in other municipalities if pilot proves successful.
Public Affairs
European Court of Justice rules on StreamOn
Telekom Deutschland will have been watching with interest as a long‑running legal dispute over its StreamOn media service was taken to the European Court of Justice.
Enterprise (B2B)
T-Systems will open second Open Telekom Cloud HQ in Amsterdam
T‑Systems intends to open a second European Open Telekom Cloud location in Amsterdam, extending beyond its original regional hub in Biere, Germany.
M&A
German government opts to acquire Toll Collect
German government paid €87m to acquire Toll Collect, the former joint venture (JV) between Deutsche Telekom (DT), Daimler, and Cofiroute.
Public Affairs
Deutsche Telekom VP of Patent Strategy welcomes policy revision drafts
Stephan Altmeyer, Vice‑President of Patent Strategy & Defense at Deutsche Telekom (DT), made positive noises regarding proposed changes to Germany’s patent legislation.
Content & TV
Telekom Deutschland in talks for 2024 UEFA contract
Talks are underway with free‑to‑air broadcasters on sub‑licencing of rights to matches in the 2024 UEFA European Championship.
Products & Services
Telekom Deutschland launches tradespeople bundle
A customised service package for tradespeople, supported by two new app partnerships and a bundled iPad.
Public Affairs
Read tries to whip up support for Huawei
CEO calls on Europe not to blindly follow USA. Read warns excluding Huawei will harm Europe much more than the USA. UK fudge to cap and firewall Huawei 5G kit; bans ZTE altogether. EU echoes UK, delegating ultimate decisions to member states.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Group reaffirms opposition to private spectrum auctions
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone Germany's Deutsche Glasfaser tie-up eyes new territory
NatCo embarks on ‘lease and operate’ partnership. Two parties aim to connect “entire municipalities” with fibre.
Enterprise (B2B)
LOXXESS provides logistics solution to Vodafone Germany
Vodafone works with LOXXESS for new logistics system.
Public Affairs
Vodafone’s price for Kabel Deutschland “adequate”
Vodafone paid an “adequate” price for Kabel Deutschland (KDG) when it acquired the cable operator for €10.7bn.
People
Substantial changes across Vodafone Europe, January 2020
Turn-of-the-year movements across Vodafone’s Europe businesses.
Public Affairs
Telekom Deutschland 5G contracts frozen until geopolitical thaw
5G equipment contracts put on hold due to “unclear political situation”. Chancellor Merkel makes industry wait for political clarity.
Partnerships & Alliances
Watchdog rounds up Telekom Deutschland EWE fibre partnership
TDE cleared for strategic capital offset manoeuvre. No major damage evident from approval push, despite drawn-out process. 2020 launch still on cards.
Network & Infrastructure
Telekom Deutschland’s 5G rollout steadily moves forward
5G reach extends to eight cities. 1,500 5G antennas in 20 cities are planned by December 2020.