Co-op gaining momentum

German alternative network operators, both wholesale (Vodafone's Arcor, Telefonica Deutschland) and integrated players (Versatel, Telecom Italia's Hansenet) are planning to jointly build a VDSL network.

This underscores a trend gaining considerable momentum: co-operation to better compete with the incumbent.

Comparable events:

• Australia's G9 and Telenor's Swedish operation have similar plans.
• Neuf Cegetel recently said it expected consolidation (FTTH).
• In Nigeria 25 ISPs plan a joint WFi network.
• SoftBank en eMobile plan a joint offer for a WiMAX license in Japan.