1&1 postpones start
The fourth German cell phone network will come later
September 18, 2023, 10:36 a.m
The fourth German mobile phone network was originally scheduled to launch at the end of 2022, then at the end of September. Now 1&1 is postponing its plans again.
The telecommunications group 1&1 is once again postponing the launch of its mobile phone network. The company in Montabaur announced that the lever should now only be turned in December and not at the end of September. The fourth German cell phone network was originally supposed to be launched at the end of 2022, but after delivery difficulties from expansion partners, the project was put on hold for the time being. It only launched in a mini version as a landline replacement product that mobile users had nothing to use.
The background is a change of partners from 1&1. The provider currently still uses the Telefónica (O2) mobile phone network. However, if it activates its own network, it will lose its status as a virtual network operator after a transition period – from January 1&1 will no longer be allowed to sell contracts that also use O2’s 5G network.
According to the company, a 5G cooperation with Vodafone (national roaming) will take effect from summer 2024 – from then on, 1&1 customers will again be covered with 5G throughout Germany. 1&1 has submitted an application to the Federal Network Agency to extend the transition period – until the start of the national roaming deal with Vodafone. However, the regulatory authority has not yet decided on this.
If 1&1 had launched its own network next week, the company would have taken a risk – if its application was rejected, its position on the market would worsen from January 2024. To avoid this, 1&1 is postponing the mobile network start date. 1&1 bought its own mobile phone frequencies for the first time in 2019. So far, the company has used networks from other operators to sell cell phone contracts.
1&1 pays rent for network use. With its own frequencies, the company wants to stand on its own two feet when it comes to the mobile communications business. There are currently three mobile phone networks in Germany, from Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica (O2). Industry experts expect the fourth network to increase competition, which could benefit consumers.