Bonn, 30.01.2025 Deutsche Telekom continues to abuse its dominant market position by strategically overbuilding the fiber optic networks of its competitors, thereby massively hindering them. The industry associations BREKO and VATM have now called on the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) to take action against this abusive behavior by a company with considerable market power.

In April last year, the BNetzA had already established in detail in the interim report of the monitoring body that Telekom had only supplied the particularly lucrative core areas with fiber optics in more than half of the dual expansion cases reported by competitors. It was also proven that in more than 50 percent of these cases, the company reacted quickly to the expansion plans of competitors. Telekom’s aim was clearly to prevent high-performance competitors from expanding and ultimately to force them out of the market. However, the fastest possible nationwide fiber optic expansion requires such a high speed and investment volume for Germany that this goal can only be achieved as a joint effort by all market players.

The two industry associations see Telekom’s behavior as a clear abuse of its market power and therefore a violation of Section 50 of the German Telecommunications Act (TKG). The Federal Network Agency is obliged to initiate a review procedure immediately in the event of an initial suspicion (Section 50 (3) TKG).

The evidence for such misconduct on the part of Telekom has been available for almost a year with the observed deviation of expansion practices from normal competitive behavior and the identified potential for crowding out. Far too little has happened since then. The BNetzA must no longer merely observe Telekom’s behavior and effectively protect the interests of the former monopolist by waiting. By letting things go on for far too long, considerable damage has already been done to Germany as an investment location and to the expansion of fiber optics. An immediate formal investigation and appropriate remedial measures are urgently required. The companies affected by Telekom’s strategic superstructure and their industry associations will continue to support the Federal Network Agency in investigating the facts.

Press contacts:

BREKO Bundesverband Breitbandkommunikation e. V., Menuhinstraße 6, 53113 Bonn, Tel.: 030 / 58580-416, E-Mail: presse@brekoverband.de

VATM Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikations- und Mehrwertdiensten e. V., Frankenwerft 35, 50667 Cologne, Tel.: 0221 / 376 77-18, E-Mail: ms@vatm.de