Private companies may be allowed to start operating their own telecommunications networks in Germany from 1996 – leasing capacity from Deutsche Bundespost Telekom – rather than the European Community deadline of 1998, Focus magazine reported on Sunday – but the publication quoted the head of Telekom saying its planned flotation could be jeopardised and it would see its profits shrink if competitive networks began operations early – although since Mercury Communications Ltd was already busy building its network when British Telecommunications Plc made its first share issue suggests that the monopoly doth protest rather too much, and suggests that a privatised Deutsche Telekom will be infused with monopolistic thinking when it floats.
