United Internet takes part in the 5G spectrum auction and wants to become the fourth mobile network provider
Montabaur, January 24, 2019. United Internet AG will take part in the upcoming auction of 5G spectrum and plans to build a high-performance mobile network of the newest generation. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board of the responsible subsidiary 1&1 Drillisch AG have made this decision today after having conducted a comprehensive review of the award terms and the market environment.
With this decision, United Internet opens a new chapter of its company history and lays the groundwork for greater competition and increased mobile communications network coverage in Germany.
In this context, Ralph Dommermuth, CEO of United Internet AG, stated: "In the past months, we have advocated for greater competition and the resulting impetus for a rapid expansion of the 5G network in Germany. We now want to form the basis to support Germany in becoming a leading 5G market as the fourth network operator in the mobile communications market", Dommermuth emphasized: "We will only be able to achieve a digital turnaround and to withstand international competition if we have modern mobile networks."
The 5G deployment is the cornerstone for Germany's future competitiveness because the new mobile communications generation forms the future basis for a new economic ecosystem. A rapid expansion of the 5G network will lead to a future environment in which innovative services can also develop and become mass-market capable in Germany.
1&1 Drillisch AG is one of the most successful and fastest-growing telecommunications businesses in Germany. Currently, the mobile communications products offered by the company are based on the leasing of third-party networks. The resulting costs may be progressively reduced and internalized in the future by building up our own network. This creates a large financial scope for investments. Ralph Dommermuth: "We want to develop even better offers for our customers and to provide companies, such as start-ups, with the basis for the 'internet of things."
United Internet acts from a position of strength: With 5G, networks, web-enabled devices and applications are brought together. In order to make Germany a leading 5G market, both telecommunications and online competencies are required, as well as agility and speed of innovation. United Internet has all that. Moreover, United Internet has recourse to the 45,000 kilometers fiber-glass network of its subsidiary 1&1 Versatel.