UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN
PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month
of March 2010
Commission file
number 001-14540
Deutsche Telekom
AG
(Translation of
Registrant’s Name into English)
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee
140,
53113
Bonn,
Germany
(Address of
Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of
Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form
40-F o
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form
is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to
Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
This report is
deemed submitted and not filed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Bonn,
Paris, London March 1, 2010
Merger
of T-Mobile UK and Orange UK cleared by EU Commission
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§
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Green
light for subsidiaries of Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom to start
implementing their joint venture
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§
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Commitments
will have no negative impact on customers or overall business
synergies
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§
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Joint
venture company will be market leader in the UK mobile market serving
29.5
million customers
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Today,
the European Commission informed Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom that it has
granted clearance for the proposed merger of their UK-business operations. The
implementation of the integration measures can start immediately. The closing of
the transaction is expected in Spring.
Tim
Höttges, CFO of Deutsche Telekom, said: “This is excellent news, for our
customers, for our highly committed teams in the UK and for our shareholders.
Now the way is clear for pooling our resources to create an outstanding
high-speed mobile broadband network in one of the most competitive markets in
Europe. This joint venture company is based on a significant potential of
synergies which create substantial value for the two shareholders and translate
directly into customer benefits. Our teams in the UK will be rolling up their
sleeves to roll out these benefits.’
Gervais
Pellissier, Deputy CEO and CFO of France Telecom said: “We are delighted to
receive the EU clearance on our project to create a joint venture
with Deutsche Telekom in the United Kingdom. This clearance will allow us
to create a strong operator and to offer high-quality network and
services to our customers. By drawing on the resources of Deutsche
Telekom and France Telecom, and on an experienced management and
staff in the United Kingdom, we are confident that we will leverage on
identified synergies and generate significant value for our
shareholders."
Deutsche
Telekom and France Telecom offered to divest 2x15 MHz of their joint GSM
spectrum (1800 MHz) by the end of 2011. Of the divested spectrum 2x10 MHz needs
to be cleared by 30 September 2013 at the latest and further 2x5 MHz need to be
cleared by 30 September 2015 at the latest. In addition, the existing network
sharing deal with 3UK, owned by Hong Kong based Hutchison Whampoa, was
reinforced.
As
outlined back in September 2009, the new joint venture company is expected to
generate estimated synergies with a net present value in excess of 4.0 billion
euros (£3.5 billion). This continues to remain the case.
The new
business will have pro forma 2009 revenues of approximately 8.5 billion euros
(£7.57 billion) and EBITDA of 1.55 billion euros (£1.38 billion).
The board
of the new joint venture company will have balanced representation from Deutsche
Telekom and France Telecom. On the formation of the new business, Tim Höttges,
CFO of Deutsche Telekom, will lead the board as non-executive chairman for two
years after which time it will rotate to Gervais Pellissier for two years. The
management team will be led by Chief Executive, Tom Alexander, currently CEO of
Orange UK, and Richard Moat, currently CEO of T-Mobile UK, who will take on the
role Chief Operating Officer.
The
T-Mobile and Orange UK brands will continue to operate in the UK for at least 18
months after the completion of the transaction.
With a
combined customer base of around 29.5 million the new joint venture company will
be the number one player in the UK mobile market and it will be in a stronger
position to invest in innovative services and to exploit new technologies. It
will offer major customer benefits, including expanded network coverage,
enhanced network quality for 2G and 3 G services, providing the platform for
unparalleled mobile broadband offers as well as better customer proximity
through a larger network of own shops and improved customer
services.
About
Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche
Telekom is one of the leading integrated telecommunications companies worldwide
with around 151 million mobile customers, around 38 million fixed-network lines
and 15 million broadband lines (as of December 31,2009). The group is present in
around 50 countries throughout the world with approximately 258,000 employees
(as of December 31, 2009). In 2009 Deutsche Telekom generated more than half of
its revenues of EUR 64.6 billion outside of Germany. Major subsidiaries in
Europe include the integrated telecommunications providers OTE in Greece, Magyar
Telekom in Hungary, T-Hrvatski Telekom in Croatia and Slovak Telekom in
Slovakia. Regarding mobile communications, the Group has subsidiaries in
Germany, the USA, the United Kingdom, Greece, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland,
Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, FYROM and
Montenegro.
Deutsche
Telekom operates three product brands: T-Home provides
state-of-the-art fixed-network infrastructures, fast internet access, and
innovative multimedia services such as IPTV. T-Mobile, one of the world's
leading mobile service companies, provides a comprehensive portfolio of mobile
voice and data services in Europe and the United States, as well as mobile
broadband services, T-Mobile is exclusive partner for the Apple iPhone in
Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary and Croatia. In addition, T-Mobile markets the
iPhone in a further eight European countries. T-Systems, the business
customer operation of Deutsche Telekom, offers integrated ICT solutions to
multinational corporations.
For more
information on Deutsche Telekom please visit www.telekom.com
About
France Telecom
France
Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators, had in 2009
total sales of 50.9 billion euros, including its activities in the United
Kingdom, and, at 31 December 2009, a customer base of almost 193 million
customers in 32 countries. Orange, the Group's single brand for internet,
television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the company
operates, now covers 131.8 million customers. At 31 December 2009, the Group had
132.6 million mobile customers and 13.5 million broadband internet (ADSL)
customers worldwide. Orange is the number three mobile operator and the number
two provider of broadband internet services in Europe and, under the brand
Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing
telecommunication services to multinational companies.
The
Group's strategy, which is characterized by a strong focus on innovation,
convergence and effective cost management, aims to establish Orange as an
integrated operator and benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe.
Today the Group remains focused on its core activities as a network operator,
while working to develop its position in new growth activities. To meet customer
expectations, the Group strives to provide products and services that are simple
and user-friendly, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible business
model that can be adapted to the requirements of a fast-paced and changing
eco-system.
France
Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New
York Stock Exchange.
For
more information (on the internet and on your mobile): www.orange.com,
www.orange-business.com, www.orange-innovation.tv
About
T-Mobile UK
T-Mobile
is one of the world’s largest mobile operators with more than 150 million
customers worldwide and is the service provider of choice for 17 million
customers in the UK. T-Mobile offers a range of innovative products and
services, such as Solo and the SIM-only plan and recently launched new pay
monthly plans across all price points with a range of flexible boosters.
T-Mobile continues to innovate with new devices such as the UK’s first
Android™-based smart phone, the T-Mobile G1, and its successor the T-Mobile G2,
both with access to more than 1,000 applications. T-Mobile has pioneered the
mobile internet, and operates an award-winning 3G network with speeds of up to
4.5Mbps. As a pioneer of deep network sharing in the UK, T-Mobile is
continuously improving population coverage for 3G services and will operate the
best 3G network by the end of 2010.
For more
information about T-Mobile UK, please visit www.t-mobile.co.uk
About
Orange UK
Orange is
the key brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the world’s leading
telecommunications operators, With 131.8 million customers, the Orange brand now
covers internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries
where the Group operates.
In the
UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population, and
3G coverage to more than 93%. At the end of December2009, Orange had more than
17.4 million customers in the UK – 16.5 million active mobile customers and
approximately 900,000 fixed line internet customers. Orange and any other Orange
product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange
Personal Communications Services Limited.
For
further information, call the Orange press office on 0870 373 1500 or visit
www.orange.co.uk/newsroom
Disclaimer
This
press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the current views
of Deutsche Telekom management with respect to future events. Forward-looking
statements are based on current plans, estimates, and projections. They should
therefore be considered with caution. Such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond
Deutsche Telekom's control. If these risks and uncertainties materialize, or if
the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, results may
be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements.
Deutsche Telekom can offer no assurance that its expectations or targets will be
met. Without prejudice to existing obligations under capital market law,
Deutsche Telekom does not assume any responsibility for updating forward-looking
statements by taking new information or future events or other matters into
account.
Deutsche
Telekom AG
Corporate
Communications
Tel.: +49 (0) 228 181-
4949
E-mail:
presse@telekom.de
Further
information is available for journalists at www.telekom.com/media
France
Telecom
Press
Contacts
Corporate
Press Office : + 33 1 44 44 93 93
Béatrice
Mandine: beatrice.mandine@orange-ftgroup.com
Bertrand
Deronchaine: bertrand.deronchaine@orange-ftgroup.com
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
DEUTSCHE
TELEKOM AG
By: /s/ Dr. Guillaume
Maisondieu
Name: Dr. Guillaume
Maisondieu
Title: Chief
Accounting Officer
Date: March 2,
2010