Deutsche Telekom unveils 'hybrid' Internet for Germany

Deutsche Telekom on Monday detailed new price plans covering what it terms 'hybrid' Internet access utilising its fixed and mobile networks.

The German incumbent said its MagentaZuhaus (MagentaHome) Hybrid tariff offers consumers access to a combined network comprising the operator's DSL and VDSL fixed line networks and its LTE mobile network. Network access is controlled by the company's new Speedport Hybrid router, which is configured to first seek access to the fixed line networks and then switch to the LTE network when the fixed lines are congested.

Deutsche Telekom said the approach enables customers with low broadband speeds to access services such as online video without significant buffering times.

Three pricing models are available. For €29.95 ($33.61) per month, subscribers get access to a fixed line with data rates of up to 16 Mbps, plus a 'turbo' boost of another 16 Mbps. A mid-level package for €34.95 per month offers data rates of up to 50 Mbps with the same again in turbo mode, while the top level package offers 100 Mbps + 100 Mbps for €39.95 per month.

The Speedport Hybrid router is available for €9.95 per month. Customers are required to sign up to a 24 month contract, for the router and the data tariffs.

Deutsche Telekom is getting creative with its bundles and tariffs amid growing domestic competition from the local units of Vodafone and Telefónica. Vodafone Germany boosted its fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) strategy by acquiring Kabel Deutschland, while Telefónica Deutschland last year became the country's largest mobile operator by subscriber numbers when it acquired mobile operator E-Plus.

Reports in January revealed Deutsche Telekom plans to spend €23.5 billion on its domestic networks over the next five years in order to boost its position in the face of the growing competition.

For more:
- see Deutsche Telekom's announcement

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