German network regulator BNZ has ruled out mergers and JVs in the country’s mobile sector, dealing a blow to any possible consolidation scenarios involving KPN owned E-Plus.
Speaking to Dow Jones, BNZ head Matthias Kurth said the current German mobile…
German network regulator BNZ has ruled out mergers and JVs in the country’s mobile sector, dealing a blow to any possible consolidation scenarios involving KPN owned E-Plus.
Speaking to Dow Jones, BNZ head Matthias Kurth said the current German mobile market, with its four operators, was “balanced”. Furthermore, they had each been able to double their spectrum.
T-Mobile, O2, Vodafone and E-Plus are the country’s mobile carriers. The first three bought blocks of spectrum in the 800MHz band, which is better for 4G, while E-Plus won spectrum in less valuable bands. Kurth said that not winning 4G-suitable spectrum meant that E-Plus would not be responsible for any rural network build-out.