08 Apr. VATM mourns the loss of Christian Schwarz-Schilling – Former Federal Minister for Posts and Telecommunications
Cologne, 8 April 2026. The VATM mourns the loss of Christian Schwarz-Schilling. With the passing of the former Federal Minister for Post and Telecommunications – Germany has lost the pioneer of the liberalisation and modernisation of the German communications markets. Dr Christian Schwarz-Schilling died on 6 April 2026 at the age of 95. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation honours him as the minister who successfully initiated the reform of the postal and telecommunications sectors.
Even after leaving politics, Christian Schwarz-Schilling remained closely associated with the VATM for many years and was a long-standing member of the association.
During a decisive period of upheaval, Schwarz-Schilling set the political course for the opening up of the communications markets.
The Federal Network Agency explicitly attributes the 1989 Postal Reform I to the era of Post Minister Christian Schwarz-Schilling. According to its account, this phase saw the liberalisation of the terminal equipment market, data and value-added services, as well as the mobile and satellite radio sectors. This laid a crucial foundation for subsequent competition in the German telecommunications market.
At the same time, his tenure stands for important steps in the technical and media policy modernisation of Germany. According to the press report, his tenure saw the introduction of cable television, the establishment of private broadcasting, and the launch of GSM mobile communications in Germany. Furthermore, in a reform process spanning several years, he set the course for the privatisation of the postal service and Telekom.
VATM President Valentina Daiber states: “With Christian Schwarz-Schilling, Germany loses a figure who was an early advocate of combining technical innovation, media policy liberalisation and structural reforms. His influence extends far beyond his term of office.”
Frederic Ufer, Managing Director of the VATM, emphasises: “Christian Schwarz-Schilling was the political pioneer for the liberalisation and modernisation of the German communications markets. During a crucial phase, he created the conditions that allowed state-dominated monopoly structures to gradually give way to open and competitive markets. For this, he deserves lasting respect.”
Our thoughts are with his family and all those who were close to him.
