14th Sector Report Telecommunications (2025): With Competition towards a European Single Market!
Sector Report of the Monopolies Commission pursuant to § 195 (2) and (3) of the Telecommunications Act, December 10, 2025
The German Monopolies Commission warns against new monopolies in telecommunications. ‘We are currently in a critical transition phase from copper to fibre technology, especially in Germany. There is a danger that the former state monopolists will become dominant again,’ warned Tomaso Duso, Chairman of the Monopolies Commission. The independent committee, which advises the federal government, has presented its 14th sector report on telecommunications. ‘If the upcoming Digital Networks Act leads to premature deregulation, competition will be severely harmed,’ said Duso.
With the Digital Networks Act, the European Commission plans to harmonise the regulation of telecommunications companies and thus to strengthen the European single market. The Monopolies Commission recommends that companies with market power should continue to be more tightly regulated, at least until effective competition is guaranteed. Overall, the advisory body generally welcomes the planned Digital Networks Act, which will provide important impetus for the completion of the European single market.
Food Markets under Pressure: Market Concentration Increases – Competition Decreases
Special Report on Competition in the Food Supply Chain I 21 November 2025
According to the Monopolies Commission, market concentration in food retail and parts of the food industry has increased significantly in recent years. ‘The power of food retailers and, in some cases, manufacturers has increased significantly at the expense of consumers, while agriculture is often exposed to global market risks,’ explains Tomaso Duso, Chairman of the Monopolies Commission. One reason for this are numer-ous mergers in the industry and the increasing expansion of retail activities to the manufacturing level. The Monopolies Commission, an independent advisory body to the German fed-eral government, submitted its special report on competition in the food supply chain to the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture today. In the report, the Monopolies Commission conducted an in-depth analysis of market conditions. This was prompted by the farmers' protests in 2024 and the high food prices of recent years.
Our Key Recommendations:
- Closer Scrutiny of Mergers along the Entire Supply Chain
- Effectively Countering Abuse of Power
- Improving the Framework Conditions for Agriculture
Sector Report Energy: Competition and Efficiency for a Sustainable Energy System
10. Sector Report of the Monopolies Commission I 4 November 2025
The Monopolies Commission calls for stronger efforts to modernise Germany’s energy systems. “Only by addressing the root causes of high energy prices can we achieve lasting progress. Symptom relief alone is not enough,” said Tomaso Duso, Chair of the Monopolies Commission. The Monopolies Commission today presented its 10th Energy Sector Report to the Federal Ministry of Economics. The report offers recommendations for future-proof energy systems covering electricity, district heating, gas and charging infrastructure for electric mobility. According to the Commission, greater efficiency and stronger competition are crucial for a successful energy transition. The Monopolies Commission is an independent advisory body that counsels the Federal Government on matters of competition policy.
Policy Brief on EU Competition Law: More speed, more impact!
Policy Brief | Edition 14 | 9 Oktober 2025
The Monopolies Commission is pleased to present its 14th Policy Brief, which focuses on the reform of EU competition law procedures (Regulation 1/2003) and the merger control guidelines.
In this brief, the Monopolies Commission recommends targeted adjustments to EU competition law, particularly concerning cartel and abuse proceedings as well as merger control. Key recommendations include:
- The European Commission's proceedings for infringements of competition law should be shortened and remedies made more effective. Moreover, Member States should retain the ability to apply stricter national rules on abuses of dominance.
- The European Commission should make greater use of dynamic theories of harm and expand its merger guidelines to include an analytical framework for assessing digital ecosystems.
The Policy Brief is now available for download: Policy Brief on EU Competition Law
