BRUSSELS-The European Commission has approved an agreement between T-Mobile and mmO2 to share third-generation mobile networks in Germany, following approval earlier this year of a similar network sharing agreement in the United Kingdom.
The network sharing agreement will allow O2, the smallest German carrier, to offer national roaming in rural and urban areas through the end of 2008, which the commission believes will allow O2 to launch “earlier and better 3G services.”
The EC decision notes network sharing does not restrict competition, but promotes market entry, which will benefit consumers and expedite the roll out of 3G services.