The report provides {that a} potential takeover of 1&1 by Telefónica may be thought-about as a part of the continued talks
In sum – what to know:
Telefónica eyes renewed cooperation – The operator is reportedly in talks with 1&1 to rebuild ties and strengthen competitiveness within the German market.
1&1 faces rollout setbacks – The provider’s 5G buildout has lagged amid disputes with Vodafone and restricted web site deployment progress.
M&A possible down the street – A future Telefónica takeover of 1&1 is being mentioned as a long-term strategic chance.
Telefónica Germany is reportedly exploring methods to resume its partnership with cell operator, 1&1, in keeping with native press stories.
German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that Telefónica was searching for to strengthen its relationship with the United Group-owned telco after the just lately introduced departure of Markus Haas, the CEO of Telefónica Germany.
Sources cited by the newspaper mentioned each corporations have held early discussions about nearer cooperation as they face rising competitors from Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone Germany. The report provides {that a} potential takeover of 1&1 by Telefónica may be thought-about.
1&1 has confronted continued challenges within the deployment of its 5G community, which lastly launched in 2023 following a number of delays. The operator acquired 5G spectrum licenses in 2019 to ascertain itself as Germany’s fourth cell community operator.
Nevertheless, the corporate later signed a 5G wholesale take care of Vodafone in 2023, ending its unique partnership with Telefónica. Underneath that settlement, Vodafone offers cell protection for areas past 1&1’s community footprint, together with 2G, 4G, and 5G companies.
Regardless of the lack of this contract, the telco is now mentioned to be pushing to rebuild ties with 1&1. Relations between 1&1 and Vodafone have been strained, with 1&1 accusing Vodafone and its tower subsidiary, Vantage Towers, of delaying its 5G rollout.
In early 2023, 1&1 publicly said it was dealing with “ongoing obstacles to the rollout of its 5G cell community ensuing from actions by Vodafone.”
The German competitors authority, Bundeskartellamt, later opened an investigation into 1&1’s complaints.
Whereas 1&1 continues to develop its community, progress stays restricted. As of June 2025, the operator had a complete of 1,200 energetic antenna websites throughout Germany. In accordance with estimates from New Road Analysis, 1&1 might attain about 12,500 websites by 2031 — nonetheless far under Telefónica’s present 28,000 antenna websites.
In June, 1&1 mentioned it has surpassed 10 million customers on its 5G community powered by Open RAN (O-RAN) expertise.
