German regulator rebuked over 'bias' in 5G tender process

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

27/08/2024 12:49

FRANKFURT, Aug 27 (Reuters) - A German court found
serious errors made by the federal network regulator during a
2019 auction of 5G mobile radio frequencies in a ruling
published on Tuesday that cited concerns over the agency's
independency.
    In a statement, the administrative court in Cologne said the
regulator's mobile spectrum auction had been "biased" and
"unlawfully influenced" by the German ministry for transport and
digital infrastructure.
    The decision is a slap on the wrist for the regulator, but
according to telecommunications industry sources it was unlikely
that the entire auction would be cancelled.
    The court did not permit an appeal against its ruling but
said that those involved in the proceedings could file a
complaint against that decision.
    "We do not expect any negative effects on the further rapid
expansion of mobile networks in Germany," the regulator said,
adding that it would assess the exact implications of the
ruling.
    The body, known as the Bundesnetzagentur, is Germany's
central authority for infrastructure. It oversees energy markets
as well as telecommunications and other areas.

 (Reporting by Hakan Ersen, Writing by Rachel More
Editing by Ludwig Burger
)
 ((rachel.more@thomsonreuters.com;))