Competitors demand stricter regulation for telecom sector

Three German industry associations – ANGA (the broadband association), VATM (the association of providers in the digital and telecommunications market), and Breko (the federal association for broadband communication) – have urged the European Union to reject new demands from large national telecommunications providers, such as Deutsche Telekom. These providers had previously sent a letter to EU leaders advocating for market positions to be assessed on an EU-wide basis rather than nationally.

The competitors argue that such a shift would allow companies like Deutsche Telekom to escape significant regulation, threatening market diversity. According to the associations, the German market demonstrates the importance of having competing service providers, with many municipal, regional, and national companies investing billions annually in new networks.

In a joint statement, the three associations, representing a broad spectrum of Deutsche Telekom's competitors from cable network operators to local utility companies and mobile providers, emphasized that regulation must continue to be based on actual market power. They demand that national regulatory authorities must be able to intervene effectively against market imbalances.

Specifically concerning the phasing out of copper networks, Breko, VATM, and ANGA are calling on EU institutions, the European Parliament, and the Council to remain firm. They believe the recently proposed Digital Networks Act (DNA) provides the correct framework for promoting investments in fiber networks and that this mechanism should not be diluted. The associations oppose Deutsche Telekom's attempts to alter regulation in a manner that would primarily benefit the largest players.