In 2009 O₂ was the fastest growing provider in the market, measured by the increase of customers. Our customer-centred rates combine with packages for mobile Internet and data services to make us an exciting partner for consumers and businesses. It is our goal to become one of the leading telecommunication providers in Germany. During the business year 2009, we launched the integration of DSL provider HanseNet, a business partner enjoying a long track record of cooperation with O₂. Once the integration of HanseNet into the Telefónica Group is completed in 2010 it will contribute more than two million new customers and, measured by sales, we will rank number three in the German telecommunications market. We have also integrated our fellow company Telefónica Deutschland in the company Telefónica O₂ Germany.
During the business year 2009, we again increased sales - by 4.2 percent to 3.7 billion euros. At the same time, the number of customers rose from 14.4 million to 15.8 million. This figure includes 1.5 million new mobile phone customers.¹⁾ 7.7 million customers have a postpaid contract.

In 2009, we invested a total of 796 million euros in expansion of our infrastructure, focusing especially on the mobile phone network. Our mobile phone network now delivers virtually nationwide coverage. There are more than 17,000 GSM base stations and 10,000 UMTS stations. This network enables our customers to make phone calls and surf the Internet while they are on the move. We were also the first provider in Germany to launch a pilot project for fast data transfer using HSPA+ technology (High Speed Packet Access +) in Munich in November 2009. This enables users to download data at a speed of up to 28 Mbit per second and transmit at speeds of up to 5.76 Mbit per second.

Landline business has been part of our Business-to-Business division since July 2009. This business achieved notable successes during the past year. Using our dedicated broadband network as a platform has enabled us to provide access to the ADSL2+ fast Internet technology. We are focusing our drive on Internet providers or carriers who do not have their own network in Germany or would like to supplement their infrastructure.
Our broadband network ranks among the biggest in Germany. It has more than 2,500 local switching centres, known as main distributors, and more than 400 Points of Presence (PoP). This network gives us the capability to reach some 67 percent of all households.

Our sales network also expanded during the course of 2009. After Munich and Berlin, we opened a third O₂ flagship store in Cologne. The shops we operate alone or with partners now number more than 940. This is equivalent to growth of 29.7 percent. We are also continuing our successful cooperation with sales partners Tchibo, Schlecker, M-net and Kabel Deutschland.