The Verwaltungsgericht Köln, a court in Cologne, has rejected a claim from cable operator Kabel BW to stop the planned auction of the digital dividend frequencies, which is set for April 12. The cabler is afraid the new mobile services will cause interference with cable tuners and high speed modems.
Kabel BW claimed that using the 800 MHz frequencies, which have become available after analogue switch-off, for mobile internet services would disrupt end-user devices deployed by the company. The court dismissed the claim as groundless. In addition, the court said that if such disruptions become apparent or are shown by studies, measures need to be taken.
With the court are five more cases pending brought about by other cable operators and broadcasters. No dates have yet been set for these cases.
The auction will take place on April 12 and is organised by the Bundesnetzagentur. Four applications have been admitted to the auction: E-Plus, Telefónica O2, T-Mobile Deutschland and Vodafone.
