Germany: Adopted Telecommunications Modernization Act including public procurement access requirements

On 7 May 2021, the Telecommunications Modernization Act, including public procurement access requirements, was adopted by the German upper house of the Parliament, Bundesrat. The Act expands the definition of interpersonal communications service providers, specifying that it is a paid service and allows a limited number of people to communicate and interact with each other through communication networks, including over-the-top (OTT) service providers. Furthermore, the Act would give the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism the power to classify manufacturers of elements for electronic communications networks and service providers as "high-risk suppliers", limiting the telecommunication providers' ability to use them to offer services.