Deutsche Telekom criticises business regulations

The CEO of Germany's leading telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom criticised industry regulation authorities for failing to take into account the pressures of new competition.

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René Obermann told news magazine Der Spiegel on Sunday that regulatory authorities had not acknowledged the hard competition his company, which is the country's former state monopolist, was up against from private cable TV companies.

"If new investments are no longer worthwhile because we have to make our networks available to competitors for set prices, it will become very difficult to close the gaps still in Germany's broadband supply," Obermann said.

Obermann also announced that the New Year would see his company execute a complete strategy overhaul aimed at the multimedia world.

Deutsche Telekom was set to present a "Strategy 2.0" in spring 2010, Obermann declared, adding that the disappearing borders between internet, mobile phones and television necessitated radical reconsideration.

Several work groups were developing concepts to exploit "growth opportunities in the internet services sector," Obermann said. He added that in the future more Telekom products would be available for use through PC and television.