08 Juli Joint press statement by ANGA and VATM
In response to yesterday’s report by the Federal Ministry for Digitalisation and State Modernisation on the status of the fibre optic rollout, the managing directors of the industry associations ANGA and VATM, Philipp Müller (ANGA) and Dr Fredric Ufer (VATM), issued the following joint statement:
“The latest report from the Federal Ministry for Digitalisation shows that the current progress in fibre optic roll-out would be inconceivable without the contribution of competing companies. The VATM’s most recent market analysis, conducted in April, revealed that fibre optic provision in Germany is being driven by competitors in the telecommunications market. This latest report clearly shows that Deutsche Telekom, as the former monopoly, is far behind where it should be. Millions of households in municipalities where Deutsche Telekom is responsible for the rollout remain unconnected – even though the fibre-optic cable often runs right past their front doors. By contrast, competitors reach on average over 75 percent of households in their rollout areas – including in regions where deployment is economically challenging. Deutsche Telekom, on the other hand, achieves a modest coverage rate of just 45 percent. This clearly shows that it is primarily the commitment of competitors in the telecommunications market that is driving the provision of high-performance digital infrastructure to consumers.
With a total of more than 320 member companies, the industry associations ANGA and VATM have formed a ‘Fair Fiber Alliance’ to clearly advocate for the best possible framework conditions and fair and competitive fiber optic expansion in Germany. Only with reliable framework conditions will competition be able to maintain the pace of expansion. If the new Digital Ministry is serious about its claim to provide modern networks, it must act now. Germany needs fair rules instead of new monopolies – for consumers, the economy and digital participation.
Citizens expect competition: According to a recent Civey survey commissioned by ANGA, 88 percent of respondents want to be able to choose their internet provider freely. For 85 percent, speed and price are the key factors – regardless of the underlying technology. More than half of the German population considers copper networks to be outdated.
The associations are therefore calling on politicians and regulatory authorities to:
- establish clear and non-discriminatory rules for the shutdown of old copper networks
- strengthen cooperative expansion models and voluntary open access
- take consistent action against market-closing superstructure strategies
- ensure regulatory stability to secure private investment.”
