German telecom regulator BNetzA is weighing a Deutsche Telekom bi...
German telecom regulator BNetzA is weighing a Deutsche Telekom bid to charge more for resale product ZISP, lawyer Axel Spies said Thursday. ZISP enables competitors to link to the network to transport traffic to end-users, and DT requires customers…
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to link to 73 nodes on the network, Spies said. The charge, approved in 2005 by BNetzA, expires Nov. 30 and the incumbent seeks a 52 percent price increase, he said. Under German law, BNetzA must gauge DT’s costs for efficiently providing the services. The German Competitive Carriers Association opposes the request and wants the rate lowered, Spies said on its behalf. Since 2005 ZISP traffic and customer numbers have dropped significantly, making DT’s network less costly to run, with a falling U.S. dollar also driving down ZISP network equipment costs, he said. The competitors group fears DT will change its rate formula to charge more, Spies said. DT shouldn’t be allowed to charge rivals for any costs it incurs from its agreement to reduce its staff by offering severance packages, because the cuts will reduce costs, he said. Raising broadband prices for competitors will harm Germany’s economy and punish providers investing in broadband, Spies said.