Mobile telephony is becoming more expensive: Munich telecom providers face sharp tariff increases
Created: 01/10/2023 05:05
O2 logo at the Germany headquarters in Munich.
© Wolfgang Maria Weber/IMAGO
In Germany, mobile phone prices have hardly increased for years.
But now the Munich O2 group is turning the price screw.
Other competitors are likely to follow.
Munich – Telefónica Deutschland is planning significant price increases.
The basic prices for new customers are to rise by up to ten percent in the spring for all tariffs from group brands such as O2 or Blau.
"More performance at the same price is - unlike in the past - no longer possible," said Markus Haas, CEO of Telefónica Germany, the
Handelsblatt
on Monday.
For example, the necessary investments in network expansion are too high.
Telefónica increases prices: O2 contracts are becoming more expensive
According to Haas, performance will be improved at the same time.
It's not about "flat surcharges," he told the newspaper.
The company will start with the price increases shortly with the prepaid offers.
The telecommunications industry is affected by rising electricity and wage costs as well as higher expenses for the expansion of its network infrastructure.
According to
the Handelsblatt
, Haas' announcement marks a turnaround.
Other mobile operators are likely to join.
Deutsche Telekom informed the
Handelsblatt
that it is keeping “all options” open with regard to possible price increases.
Vodafone declined to comment.
(AFP)