With increasing digitalization, software and AI solutions are becoming even more important. Companies all over the world contribute to resourceful and good solutions. But why don't we always use the potential that German companies in particular offer? The following specialist article on the topic of “Software made in Germany” was published in the VATM Yearbook 2024.
Successful solutions are well received abroad
Our developments, especially in the engineering sector, have led to high international recognition for decades. But our own developments seem to be finding it increasingly difficult to assert themselves on the market.
It's not just the inventions themselves, but also ideas and concepts that Germany had and could have advanced far in the past. Back in the 1980s, under Helmut Schmidt, the Deutsche Bundespost decided to expand fiber optics across the board. That would have made our country a leader in fast internet. But the Kohl era put the plans on hold. Instead, the copper cable for cable television found its way into German homes.
With the entry into force of the Telecommunications Act, we were a role model for many Europeans and countries around the world and, together with fiber optic expansion, we could have been a leader. But DSL vectoring slowed us down again. Our nationwide fiber optic expansion and corresponding concepts were well received abroad. It was successfully adopted and implemented, but unfortunately not committed enough in Germany.
Thanks to the strong community of associations and carriers, a lot of effort is being made to further advance the expansion, ideas and concepts. The goal is to finally lay fiber optic cables in every corner of Germany. But only with a willing open access strategy for everyone can the goal of nationwide fiber optic expansion be achieved in a resource-saving manner, even in rural areas. Software made in Germany is required here.
German software companies have an advantage when it comes to implementing the regulatory standards
Globalization opened up new markets and paths for us. This has brought many advantages, especially for international exchange. But it also moved productions abroad. Although costs were reduced, know-how was also transferred. The hardware sector in particular is dependent on numerous components that are no longer produced in Germany. This creates dependencies whose extent is not yet fully tangible.
Intellectual property is a valuable asset not only in the hardware sector, but also in the software sector. International providers often offer a broad portfolio, but always have to adapt to the relevant country regulations. This requires special adjustments to the software, which are often reflected in the price.
The German regulatory authority in particular always makes things exciting in the telecommunications sector. With the new telecommunications law in 2021, network operators and providers faced numerous new challenges. Since then, many other changes have come into effect for which the processes and software components had to be and still have to be adjusted again. German companies have a clear advantage here in meeting regulatory requirements and adapting their solutions accordingly. Especially if the software is a basic product that can provide an update for all German customers without having to make numerous individual adjustments.
Is Germany still an innovation country?
Germany is still an inventive country. The number of reported patents alone reflects this. There are bright minds who bring really good ideas to the market or have intelligent concepts to make production and life even more efficient. But too often the courage to actively promote such companies and ideas is still lacking.
The cooperation of companies together with industry associations, such as the VATM, has brought good solutions, especially in the area of connection changes. What we have in common here is a great motto that manages to achieve goals despite some politically questionable decisions.
German players also have good products on the market in the area of network management. These are currently becoming an integral part of telecommunications and are increasingly being used by carriers. One success lies in the direct communication between companies. Because the market participants know each other and try to find solutions together.
Software made in Germany – Kassel
dimari GmbH has already worked on developing its own software with the deregulation of the telecommunications market. The primary aim was to bring an affordable billing system onto the market for all carriers, which complies with the complex regulations of the German telecommunications market. Today, the software environment combines many standard functions and features as well as interfaces for changing connections.
The topic “Good solutions – made in Germany” was also the focus of our 4th Telco industry conference in 2024. Industry representatives met in a wonderful atmosphere above the rooftops of Kassel, in the Schlosshotel Kassel. Here you can find the entire report on the Telko industry conference.