• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

German regulator bans zero-rating options from Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone

April 28, 2022 11.11 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

The Germany Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has prohibited Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone Deutschland from offering their zero-rating mobile tariff options StreamOn and Vodafone Pass.

The regulator has also ordered the termination of existing customer contracts. According to BNetzA, the offers violate net neutrality because they do not treat data traffic equally.

“We are ending the unequal treatment of data traffic associated with the zero-rating options,” said Klaus Müller, President of BNetzA. “We expect providers to now offer tariffs with higher data allowances or cheaper mobile flat-rate tariffs. Consumers will benefit from this.”

The European Court of Justice ruled on September 2, 2021 that the zero-rating options StreamOn of Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone Pass are incompatible with the principle of equal treatment of data traffic. With zero-rating options, data traffic is treated differently as certain services and applications – unlike all other services and applications – are excluded from the data allowance, meaning that they can be used without limit.

According to the order of the Federal Network Agency, the marketing of StreamOn and Vodafone Pass must be discontinued by July 1, 2022. The two zero-rating options will then no longer be bookable via any sales channel. The telcos have until the end of March 2023 to discontinue the zero-rating options in the existing customer contracts. According to the regulator, this implementation period is necessary in view of the large number of existing customers and also to enable a consumer-friendly transition to other tariffs.

BNetzA assumes that the discontinuation of zero-rating options will have an overall positive effect on the German mobile network market. It is expected that the trend towards tariffs with higher data allowances and cheaper mobile flat-rates will accelerate. While flat-rates have been widespread in fixed network tariffs for some time, this has not yet been the case in mobile network market.

Vodafone Deutschland will not take legal action against the decision, a spokesman told Broadband TV News. “We are analysing the order of BNetzA regarding the suspension of Vodafone Pass and will subsequently inform about further steps.”

A Telekom spokesman said: “We very much regret the discontinuation of our zero-rating offer for around four million satisfied users and the nearly 500 StreamOn partners.” He added that Telekom is constantly optimising the customer experience, for example by granting data volumes free of charge or by permanently upgrading the data allowances of selected customer groups. Further measures are in preparation, according to the spokesman.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Newsline, Regulation, Telco Tagged With: BNetzA, Deutsche Telekom, European Court of Justice, Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, Net Neutrality, StreamOn, Vodafone, Vodafone Pass, zero rating Edited: 3 May 2022 12:40

About Jörn Krieger

Jörn reports on the latest developments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since 1992, he has been working as a freelance journalist, specialised in digital media, broadcast technology, convergence and new markets. He also takes up University lectureships, writes articles in specialist publications, and produces radio reports. Jörn is also a moderator of panel discussions at industry events such as ANGA COM, Medientage München and IFA Berlin.

Latest News

  • BBC to close linear channels in ‘digital-first’ savings
  • Synamedia acquires content discovery platform Utelly
  • “Father of DVB-S2” awarded Honorary Fellowship
  • United Group grows its figures
  • UK Government to review Drahi’s BT stake

Watch Video

In Conversation: Smart Routers mean Smart Homes

In the first edition of In Conversation, Julian Clover discusses how smart routers are evolving to serve the smart home with Stuart Griffin, Founder & Technologist, Consult Red. … [Webinar Replay...]

Q & A

OTT Question Time – now in association with Broadband TV News

Kauser Kanji, MD of VOD Professional, introduces the industry forum OTT Question Time. … [Read More]

Free Ebook

eBook: Overcoming the Top 5 Challenges in Server-side IP Ad insertion

IP video is a game-changer for advertising. However, unlike traditional television, IP video is more dynamic, with new devices, formats, content and services to consider. … [Download the eBook...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2022 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OK