Member Articles

1 Framework 1.1 When did Germany first liberalise telecommunications networks and/or services? In 1989 the markets for telecommunications end-user devices, data and value added services, satellite and mobile communications were liberalised. The first mobile communications licence was awarded to a private entity in 1989 (Mannesmann Mobilfunk, now Vodafone) ...

On March 15, 2006, the German Federal Cartel Office published a new Leniency Program, which replaces the previous Notice 68 of 2000. With this Program, the FCO offers cartel participants wishing to leave a cartel and cooperate with the FCO immunity from or reduction of fines. A summary of the new Program can be found at: http://www.worldservicesgroup.com/files/groups/1494_0330023908 ...

Summary: On 1 July 2005, the 7th amendment to the German Act against Restraints of Competition (Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen – “GWB”) entered into force. It implies major changes in German competition law. The objective of the amendment is to harmonize German with European competition law. In principle, cases having only a national scope will now be judged by similar provisions as cases that have a European dimension ...