High-speed internet via cable:Telefónica Deutschland and Vodafone cooperate in fast cable connections

The telecommunications providers Telefónica Deutschland and Vodafone have agreed that Telefónica Deutschland will have access to Vodafone's and Unitymedia’s cable network in Germany. With the access to the cable network, Telefónica Deutschland is significantly expanding and improving its nationwide fixed-network offering with high-speed internet, including its capability to provide high quality over-the-top internet-based TV services. Both parties signed an access agreement aimed at providing long-term access to Vodafone’s cable infrastructure in Germany. The agreement is subject to the planned acquisition of Unitymedia by Vodafone, which is currently under review by the EU Commission. "The cable agreement will enable us to connect millions of additional households in Germany with high-speed internet in the future. By adding fast cable connections, we now have access to an extensive infrastructure portfolio and can offer to even more O₂ customers attractive broadband products – including internet-based TV with O₂ TV – for better value for money," says Markus Haas, CEO of Telefónica Deutschland.

Telefónica Deutschland is significantly improving its nationwide fixed-network offering (including internet-based TV services) with its access agreement with Vodafone. As a result of this cable agreement, Telefónica Deutschland will be able to supply up to 24 million cable households in Germany with attractive O₂ fixed network products at higher speeds than VDSL. The agreement is thus complementary to Telefónica Deutschland's existing infrastructure access agreements in the fixed-network area. As an integrated telecommunications provider, Telefónica Deutschland provides fixed network, internet and mobile solutions under one roof. The company also offers convergent tariffs with its O₂ my All in One, thus enabling O₂ customers to surf with high speeds both at home and on the go. In addition, Telefónica Deutschland recently launched its IPTV solution O₂ TV for live streaming on customers’ smart TV, smartphones and tablets, which the high-speed broadband offered by the agreement with Vodafone will further enhance. Telefónica Deutschland is taking important steps towards its vision of becoming a “Mobile Customer & Digital Champion” and the cable agreement represents a key milestone in this process.