Germany's telecommunication system is highly developed. Germany telecommunication market has been fully liberalized since January 1, 1998. Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic
telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of
fiber-optic cable,
coaxial cable,
microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes
roaming service to foreign countries. As a result of intensive
capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly antiquated system of the eastern part of the country has been rapidly modernized to the most advanced technology.
Deutsche Telekom began rolling out
FTTH networks in 10 cities in 2011, following the launch of pilot projects in
Hennigsdorf,
Braunschweig and
Dresden in 2010.