Association of Providers of Telecommunications and Value-Added Services (VATM)

The Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikations- und Mehrwertdiensten (VATM) — the Association of Providers of Telecommunications and Value-Added Services — is a German industry association (eingetragener Verein) that serves as the leading voice of the telecommunications and digital sector in Germany. It was formed in December 1997 through the merger of the Verband für Telekommunikation und Mehrwertdienste (VTM) and the Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikationsdiensten (VAT), ahead of the liberalisation of the German telecommunications market on 1 January 1998. Its constituent meeting took place on 9 January 1998. VATM represents more than 160 telecommunications companies and value-added service providers in Germany, all of which compete with the former monopolist Deutsche Telekom. According to the association, its members account for roughly 80 percent of the revenue generated in the German telecommunications market by competitors to Deutsche Telekom. The association maintains offices in Berlin, Brussels and Cologne, allowing it to represent its members both nationally and at the EU level. The association's stated goal is to create fair and equal-opportunity framework conditions for private telecommunications companies. It pursues this primarily through lobbying and public relations work. Its members include fixed-network and mobile operators as well as value-added service providers. Ordinary member companies are largely subsidiaries or participations of firms from Europe and overseas; they offer complete telecommunications services or serve sub-segments such as fixed-network providers, mobile operators, service providers, and value-added service providers offering mail and fax services, service numbers, directory services or call centres. Associated members, which have no voting rights, include telecommunications equipment manufacturers and providers of billing systems and other industry solutions. VATM is active in public debate on major industry topics. Its annual yearbook, the VATM Jahrbuch, addresses issues such as copper-to-fibre migration, the amendment of the German Telecommunications Act (TKG-Novelle), new infrastructures and Europe's digital sovereignty. The association also publishes, together with DIALOG CONSULT, an annual telecommunications market analysis for Germany — the 27th edition was presented in 2026. VATM organises numerous events each year, including the VATM-Sommerfest, and issues a large number of position papers (Stellungnahmen) through its active working groups. It frequently coordinates positions with peer associations such as ANGA and BREKO, for example in joint appeals to the European Commission for fair competition. Since May 2022, the managing director (Geschäftsführer) of VATM has been Frederic Ufer. In 2026 the association strengthened its presidency (Präsidium) by electing four new members at its general meeting, a year described by VATM as one of central strategic decisions.

The Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikations- und Mehrwertdiensten (VATM) was created in December 1997, on the eve of the liberalisation of the German telecommunications market on 1 January 1998. It emerged from the merger of two predecessor organisations: the Verband für Telekommunikation und Mehrwertdienste (VTM) and the Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikationsdiensten (VAT). The constituting meeting of the new association took place on 9 January 1998. From its foundation, VATM's purpose has been to create fair and equal-opportunity framework conditions for private telecommunications companies in Germany, primarily through lobbying and public relations. Its membership consists of fixed-network and mobile operators as well as value-added service providers, all competing with the former monopolist Deutsche Telekom. Ordinary members are largely subsidiaries or participations of companies from Europe and overseas, offering either complete telecommunications services or serving sub-segments such as fixed-network provision, mobile telephony, service provision, and value-added services including mail and fax services, service numbers, directory services and call centres. Associated members, who hold no voting or election rights, include telecommunications equipment manufacturers and providers of billing systems and other industry solutions. Over the years VATM has become a significant voice in German telecommunications policy. On 29 December 2008, the association announced that its member companies intended to invest up to 40 billion euros to ensure nationwide access to fast DSL. By 2011, the announced investment figure had risen to 45 billion euros. The association has continued to publish market analyses and position papers and to organise industry events. VATM maintains offices in Berlin, Brussels and Cologne, reflecting its dual focus on German national policy and EU-level regulation. It represents more than 160 companies that together account for roughly 80 percent of the revenue earned in the German telecommunications market by competitors to Deutsche Telekom. In May 2022, Frederic Ufer became managing director (Geschäftsführer). In 2026, the association elected four new members to its presidency (Präsidium) at its general meeting, in what it described as a year of central strategic decisions. Its annual yearbook, the VATM Jahrbuch, and its joint telecommunications market analysis with DIALOG CONSULT (the 27th edition appearing in 2026) are among its flagship publications, while events such as the VATM-Sommerfest bring together around 500 guests from industry, politics, regulation, science, associations and media.

• VATM formed through the merger of the Verband für Telekommunikation und Mehrwertdienste (VTM) and the Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikationsdiensten (VAT), ahead of market liberalisation.

• Constituting meeting of the new association.

• VATM announced that member companies intended to invest up to 40 billion euros for nationwide fast DSL access.

• Announced investment figure rose to 45 billion euros.

• Frederic Ufer became Managing Director (Geschäftsführer).

• VATM general meeting elected four new members to the presidency; 27th telecommunications market analysis presented with DIALOG CONSULT; VATM Jahrbuch 2026 published.

The leading voice of the telecommunications and digital industry in Germany, advocating for more competition and the best networks for people and the economy.

• VATM Jahrbuch (annual yearbook)

  Annual publication addressing key industry topics such as copper-to-fibre migration, the TKG amendment, new infrastructures and Europe's digital sovereignty.

• VATM/Dialog Consult telecommunications market analysis

  Annual market analysis for Germany; the 27th edition was presented in 2026.

• VATM-Sommerfest

  Annual networking event bringing together around 500 guests from industry, politics, regulation, science, associations and media.

1. 1VATM – Verband der Anbieter im Digital- und Telekommunikationsmarkt (VATM) e. V.vatm.de
2. 2Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikations- und Mehrwertdiensten – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Verband der Anbieter von Telekommunikations- und Mehrwertdiensten – Wikidatawikidata.org