The German mobile operator is set to launch its own network in the coming months.
1&1 has concluded negotiations with Vodafone for a long-term exclusive national roaming partnership, replacing its previous partner Telefonica. Vodafone will provide 2G, 4G and 5G in areas that are not yet covered by 1&1’s new mobile network. The deal is expected to begin in October 2024.
1&1 currently operates as a virtual mobile network operator and broadband provider but the company is working towards becoming Germany’s fourth national mobile operator. The operator says it will launch its new network next month, at which point customers will initially be supplied with nationwide national roaming services by Telefonica until the national roaming supply by Vodafone is available.
The operator will eventually need to cover 50% of the country’s population with 5G services by 2030 as set out in the licence conditions attached to the spectrum that it acquired in 2019.
Previously, 1&1 failed to reach its rollout target of building 1,000 masts by the end of 2022. It is believed that the German regulator is considering fining the operator for not achieving this target, which was set out in the company’s spectrum licences.
