BREKO was founded in 1999 as an organisation for alternative local exchange carriers. In its current composition, the organisation represents the majority of all landline competitors of Deutsche Telekom AG. The companies that are members of the organisation sell products that are based on proprietary infrastructure in combination with an unbundled connection to Deutsche Telekom AG. In addition to telephone and Internet services, the companies offer, for example, IPTV and premium rate service. The organisation looks after its members' interests vis-à-vis:
· the European Union
· Germany's federal government
· the German Federal Network Agency
· the German Federal Cartel Office
· the scientific community
· media
· the general public
BREKO is committed to making competition fairer
It is BREKO's aim to:
create fair competitive conditions, which lead to planning security and boosts investment confidence among all telecommunications operators on the market. This applies to companies that invest in their own infrastructure, which favours the processes of liberalisation and deregulation.
BREKO – creating added value for its corporate members
· by assuming the role of an influential lobby and
· regularly debating tomorrow's questions and developing alternatives for action
side by side with the experts in regular strategic workshops.
BREKO – our members stay ahead with comprehensive information
At regular intervals, BREKO informs its members of current legislative, financial and political developments which pertain to the telecommunications market. Topical and interesting matters are reported on in the quarterly BREKO Report. Important trade events and dates are communicated in the periodical BREKO News.
As of September, a new news service will be available on the BREKO website. On a daily basis, a service provider will filter relevant German sources using specific keywords and post the important articles from the telecommunications industry at www.brekoverband.de.
Another important source of information for the members are the work groups established and maintained by BREKO for nearly all relevant areas of telecommunications. At present, we run the following work groups:
· Legal and regulatory affairs
· Technology
· Media and public relations (is being created)
· Market developments
BREKO conducts active press work
By ensuring efficient relations with the press, BREKO aims to act as a counterbalance to the former monopolist Deutsche Telekom in the media. An essential part of BREKO media and public relations is to raise public awareness about creating fairer competitive conditions on the telecommunications market. The members' demands with regard to policy and regulation form the cornerstone for press conferences, press releases and press briefings.
