Functions
Tasks of the Federal Network Agency
The central task of the Federal Network Agency is to provide for compliance with the Telecommunications Act (TKG), the Postal Act (PostG) and the Energy Act (EnWG) and their ordinances having the force of law. This way the Agency ensures liberalisation and deregulation of the telecommunications, postal and energy markets through non-discriminatory access and efficient use-of-system charges.
In the field of telecommunications and post it is responsible for:
- securing fair and working competition, in rural areas as well;
- ensuring provision throughout the Federal Republic of Germany of basic telecommunications and postal services (universal services) at affordable prices;
- promoting telecommunications services in public institutions;
- securing efficient and interference-free use of frequencies, account also being taken of broadcasting interests; and
- protecting public safety interests.
Apart from regulation, the Federal Network Agency performs a number of various other tasks related to the telecommunications and postal market; it
- issues postal licences;
- contributes to resolving problems within the framework of standardisation;
- administers frequencies and telephone numbers,
- detects radio interference,
- combats abuse of telephone numbers,
- observes the market and
- offers advice to citizens on new regulations and their implications.
In the field of energy it secures
- as far as possible, a secure, cost-efficient, consumer-friendly, efficient and environmentally compatible wired provision of electricity and gas to the general public;
- working and undistorted competition in the provision of electricity and gas and ensures the efficient operation of energy supply networks on a long-term basis;
- the implementation and enforcement of Community law in the field of wired energy supply.
Through its regional offices the Federal Network Agency keeps contact with the consumers and industry in rural areas. It is the local point of contact for citizens and undertakings especially with regard to specific aspects of telecommunications.