1&1 launched 5G services with fixed wireless access (FWA) technology earlier this year
Germany’s federal network agency, Bundesnetzagentur, opened a fine proceeding against local telco 1&1 for failures in its 5G network coverage obligations, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported.
As part of the 2019 frequency auction, the telco committed to deploy 1,000 5G sites by the end of last year. 1&1 said that the delays in the deployment of its 5G network infrastructure were consequence of technical problems with its partners.
According to the report, tower operator Vantage Towers had failed to keep delivery agreements on several occasions. The report also stated that the amount of the fine is still unclear. The company will now have the ability to comment on the process.
1&1 previously noted that the first interim target of 1,000 radio masts is to be reached in the course of this year. “Despite the delays in recent months, we want to continue to meet our supply obligation for 50% of all households by the end of 2030 at an early stage,” Ralph Dommermuth, CEO of 1&1 had said. “Around 12,600 radio masts and over 500 regional data centers will be put into operation for this purpose,” he added.
Since the acquisition of its 5G license, the German telco has been selecting tech partners for the construction of its network. 1&1 had selected Japanese company Rakuten Group to design, build and operate a fully virtualized mobile network based O-RAN technology. The telco has also signed a long-term tower rental agreement with Vantage Towers AG.
In August 2021, 1&1 and Rakuten Group announced a long-term partnership to build the former’s mobile network in Germany. Through this deal, Rakuten became the general contractor for the 1&1 mobile network.
Earlier this year, 1&1 launched 5G services with fixed wireless access (FWA) technology.
The first antennas for the provision of 5G FWA were put into operation in Frankfurt and Karlsruhe. The telco said it expected to expand this offering to cover new cities including Hamburg, Essen, Düsseldorf, Wiesbaden, Mainz, Munich and Freiburg.
The new offering, dubbed “5G at home” is a replacement for conventional DSL, fiber optic or cable internet connection, and is now available in the first regions.
