Telecommunications & Post

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A needs-oriented telecommunications and postal services policy
Efficient telecommunications and postal markets are the key to enabling Germany to gain and maintain a leading position in the global information society. A technologically sophisticated telecommunications network forms the basis for using innovative broadband services. And in the postal sector, demand for parcel and letter delivery services is increasing thanks to the rise of virtual market places on the Internet.

A competition-oriented telecommunications policy
The Economics Ministry pursues a competition-oriented telecommunications policy in order to ensure the provision of telecommunications services that meet the needs of users. The full liberalisation of the fixed-line market in 1998 has led to internationally low prices and high-quality infrastructures. It has also resulted in a large number of high-performing companies. However, competition has not yet reached a satisfactory level in all sectors and must therefore be intensified. The competitive telecommunications policy is based on the 1996 Telecommunications Act which was amended to meet European requirements. The amendments came into effect on 26 June 2004.

Gradual liberalisation of postal markets
Ever since discussions began concerning the liberalisation of the postal sector in the European Union, Germany has been among those member states that have actively pushed for a step-by-step opening of markets and the completion of the European internal market for the postal sector. The European Parliament's adoption of the Third Postal Directive on 1 February 2008 represented a significant step toward the opening of the internal postal services market. The core of the Directive involves the final removal of monopoly rights for traditional providers letter delivery services by 31 December 2010; for some member states, an additional transitional period will apply.

Germany opened its market for letter delivery services well before this deadline when Deutsche Post AG's exclusive licence for letter delivery expired on 31 December 2007. It remains the goal of the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology to establish the conditions for fair and full competition in the German postal sector and thereby to enable postal companies to gain successful access to postal markets. Consumers can be assured that the universal provision of postal services will be maintained throughout this process.

Federal Network Agency assumes regulation duties
The Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) is responsible for representing the interests of competitors and customers in deregulated markets. The agency was established in Bonn in 1998 at the beginning of the deregulation process. Its other responsibilities include radio spectrum management, the investigation of radio interference and market observation. In the postal sector, its duties include safeguarding the provision of universal service and approving prices.