DÜSSELDORF (dpa-AFX) - According to a press report, Telefonica Deutschland (O2) is preparing a far-reaching partnership with the mobile communications company Freenet. The company management is considering accommodating the Hamburg-based company with more attractive conditions and opening up access to the group's fast 5G network, reported the "Handelsblatt" (Tuesday edition), citing insiders. Freenet's discount brand, Klarmobil, could potentially also sell tariffs based on the O2 infrastructure.

The report went on to say that neither company wanted to comment specifically on this. Freenet merely stated that it was "unable to confirm" the statements. According to the newspaper, the talks have not yet been concluded and could still fail. Company bosses Markus Haas and Christoph Vilanek have apparently been negotiating since August.

The background to this was a deal between 1&1 boss Ralph Dommermuth and Vodafone. Dommermuth had surprisingly announced in August that his twelve million mobile customers would be switching from the O2 network to the Vodafone network from next year. As a result, Telefónica's sales could collapse from 2026 onwards. The report went on to say that internally, 200 million euros less free cash flow is expected in this case. CEO Haas wants to prevent this. He has developed a rescue plan with which he intends to increase sales and reduce costs./he