German operators consider shared LTE network

Leading German mobile operators, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Germany and O2 Germany have started talks focused on the rolling out of a joint LTE network in the country.

Head of Deutsche Telekom, Niek Jan van Damme, has said he expects cooperation to start before the end of this year, following approval from the necesary authorities.

The three operators acquired LTE spectrum at a spectrum auction in May 2010. The regulator stipulated that less populated areas should be covered first and the operators don’t see a need for multiple network rollouts in these areas.