MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - Germany's fourth network operator, 1&1, is drawing sharp criticism for its demand for access to rivals' 5G networks. "This is outrageous and, from our point of view, completely untenable," said the head of Telefónica Deutschland (O2), Markus Haas, in Munich on Wednesday. Previously, 1&1 had applied to the Federal Network Agency for the regulatory authority to order so-called national roaming and open the networks to each other. Then, in the future, 1&1 mobile customers would also get reception where the company does not yet have its own antennas.

1&1 first bought frequencies at auction in 2019 to build its own network. However, the company is making slow progress: instead of putting 1000 5G sites into operation by the end of 2022 as prescribed, there were only five. So far, no antenna has been activated for cell phone use, and the network is scheduled to be opened for mobile applications in September. Outside the 1&1 locations, which will probably still be few and far between at that time, customers will then receive connections via the O2 network, but only in the slower 4G wireless standard.

With "national roaming," 1&1 nevertheless wants to offer new customers nationwide 5G connections in the future. If the newcomer were to receive this type of "superroaming," in which radio connections are made to antennas all over the competition, 1&1 would suddenly have better cards in the race for customer favor. Telefónica Deutschland CEO Haas, however, expects the Federal Network Agency to reject 1&1's application. Annoyed, he said that when it comes to network construction, it is now time to invest "and not always whine and ask the regulator for help." He added that the company was prepared to negotiate 5G roaming, which is not mandated by the state, at "fair prices.

Criticism of 1&1 also came from Deutsche Telekom, with a company spokesperson calling the call for superroaming "absurd." And a Vodafone spokesman said, "We have noted the request with great astonishment."/wdw/DP/ngu