2013 Telecommunications Sector Report
The Monopolies Commission presents its special report pursuant to Section 121(2) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG), entitled ‘Telecommunications 2013: Maintaining Diversity in the Markets’. It notes that dynamic competition continues to develop in the retail telecommunications markets and reiterates its call for the regulation of fixed-line subscriber lines to be abolished. Regulation of the vast majority of wholesale services, however, remains essential, as competitors’ offerings are largely based on access to the infrastructure of the dominant operator.
The Monopolies Commission rejects a reorientation of telecommunications policy in the European Union along industrial policy lines, aimed at accelerating the consolidation process in the markets and favouring large companies. A focus on a small number of large companies would lead to a decline in the intensity of competition and rising consumer prices.
Telecommunications policy over the last 15 years has led to greater competition in Germany and, consequently, to more choice and falling prices for consumers. These achievements should not be jeopardised by a reorientation of telecommunications policy along industrial policy lines that favours a handful of large European companies.
