What Vatm does

VATM (Verband der Anbieter im Digital- und Telekommunikationsmarkt e. V.) is a German non-profit registered industry association (eingetragener Verein) representing providers in the digital and telecommunications market, founded around 2000 and headquartered in Cologne with additional offices in Berlin (capital office) and Brussels (EU regulatory engagement). The association serves more than 100 member companies, including Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Telefonica, 1&1, United Internet, Deutsche Glasfaser, and a long tail of regional and specialized fixed, mobile, fiber, and ISP operators. Its core activities are regulatory advocacy before BNetzA, BMDS, and EU institutions on legislation such as TKG, the Digital Networks Act (DNA), and GIA; market intelligence through the annual TK-Marktanalyse (now in its 27th edition, produced with DIALOG CONSULT) and other publications; and convening industry events including the Sommerfest, Drei-Länder-Konferenz, DNA Deep Dives, and the Praxisforum Digitale Infrastrukturen co-hosted with BREKO and Buglas.

VATM generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees (recurring subscription model) and paid registration for its events, webinars, seminars, and conferences, with member discounts applied. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is structured by member tier. The association is governed by a Präsidium led by President Valentina Daiber (also Vorständin Recht und Corporate Affairs at Telefonica Deutschland) and Vice President Wolfram Rinner, with Dr. Frederic Ufer serving as Managing Director (Geschäftsführer). Beyond publications and events, VATM operates working groups, a member portal, English-language publications, and partnerships with organizations such as DIALOG CONSULT, SBR-net Consulting, BREKO, Buglas, Bitkom, eco Akademie, Stiftung Datenschutz, and Fiberforening (Norway). It does not develop proprietary technology or commercial products; its outputs are advocacy, research publications, and member convening services.

Name

Vatm

Legal name

Verband der Anbieter im Digital- und Telekommunikationsmarkt e. V.

Website

https://vatm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VATM is a German non-profit trade association representing 100+ competitive telecommunications and digital market providers, offering regulatory advocacy, market intelligence (annual TK-Marktanalyse), and industry events to operators in Germany and the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: VATM generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees paid by telecommunications and digital market provider companies. Membership provides access to regulatory advocacy, market studies, position papers, working groups, and exclusive networking events.
2. Event Participation Fees: Revenue is generated from paid registration fees for VATM-organized events including webinars, seminars, workshops (Praxisseminare), conferences, the annual Sommerfest, excursions, and working group meetings. VATM members receive discounted rates.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VATM is a German telecommunications industry association that provides member companies with regulatory advocacy support before German and EU bodies, annual market intelligence (TK-Marktanalyse), position papers, and networking events. Services are sold exclusively through membership and event participation, with the association generating revenue from over 100 member telecom and digital market providers across Germany.

Product overview

VATM is a German telecommunications industry association (Verband der Anbieter im Digital- und Telekommunikationsmarkt e. V.) that provides member services including market research publications (VATM-Marktstudien, VATM-Jahrbücher), policy position papers (Stellungnahmen, Positionspapiere), regular newsletters, and organizes industry events and webinars. The association does not offer commercial products; its services support member companies through knowledge sharing, networking events, and regulatory advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TK-Marktanalyse (VATM-DIALOG CONSULT Annual Telecommunications Market Analysis) Annual market study providing data and insights on the German telecommunications market, published in cooperation with DIALOG CONSULT. Available to members and the public via PDF download. For industry analysts, policymakers, and telecom operator members.
• VATM-Jahrbücher (Yearbooks) Annual compendium publications providing comprehensive overviews of the telecommunications market, regulatory developments, and association activities. For VATM members and industry stakeholders.
• Stellungnahmen (Position Papers) Official position statements and policy responses submitted by VATM on German and EU telecommunications legislation and regulation, including TKG (Telecommunications Act) amendments and IP address storage rules. For federal agencies, EU bodies, and member companies.
• Positionspapiere (Policy Papers) Strategic policy papers addressing competition, investments, and regulatory frameworks in telecommunications markets. For policymakers, regulators, and member companies.
• VATM Events and Webinars Association-organized events including webinars, seminars, conferences, the annual Sommerfest, Drei-Länder-Konferenz, DNA Deep Dives, VATM-Inhaus Forum, and specialized forums on Open Access, Inhaus-Ausbau, and regulatory matters. For VATM members and telecommunications industry professionals.
• VATM Membership (Verbandsmitgliedschaft) Annual membership package providing access to regulatory advocacy, market studies, position papers, working groups, and exclusive networking events for telecommunications and digital market provider companies. Pricing is quote-based and varies by company size and tier.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27th annual TK-Marktanalyse published (2026), providing the most comprehensive independently produced market data on the German telecommunications sector.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• DIALOG CONSULTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVATM and DIALOG CONSULT have collaborated for 27 years on the annual TK-Marktanalyse (telecommunications market analysis) for Germany. This study, based on market data from the previous year, is the most authoritative independently produced analysis of the German telecommunications market and is widely referenced by industry and policymakers.
• BREKO (Bundesverband Breitbandkommunikation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVATM co-hosts the annual Praxisforum Digitale Infrastrukturen with BREKO and Buglas, bringing together industry stakeholders for two days of practical sessions, expert panels, and networking focused on digital infrastructure deployment in Germany.
• Buglas (Breitband-Verband)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVATM co-hosts the annual Praxisforum Digitale Infrastrukturen with BREKO and Buglas, bringing together industry stakeholders for two days of practical sessions, expert panels, and networking focused on digital infrastructure deployment in Germany.
• SBR-net Consulting AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBR-net Consulting AG conducts studies commissioned by VATM, including the 2025 study on network usage models (Netznutzungsmodelle) and open access for the fiber market. SBR-net also co-organizes the annual Breitbandkonferenz and the VATM Norway excursion, and supports the VATM Jahrbuch.
• BitkomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVATM and Bitkom jointly published a consumer checklist for stable and high-performance home networks (Heimnetz), providing tips for home-office, Smart-Home, and Home-Schooling users on optimizing their internet connectivity within the home.
• eco AkademieminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partnereco Akademie co-organized the 2018 expert roundtable on Cloud/Edge Computing with VATM, held at DE-CIX Management GmbH in Frankfurt.
• Deutsche ict + medienakademieminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-organized the 2018 expert roundtable on Cloud/Edge Computing with VATM and eco Akademie.
• Fiberforening (Norway)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVATM and OFAA organized a 2026 study trip to Oslo in cooperation with the Norwegian association Fiberforening, to learn from Norway's advanced fiber deployment, copper network switch-off (completed 2025), open access models, and digitalization progress.
• OFAA (Open Fiber Access Alliance)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVATM and OFAA jointly organized the 2026 study trip to Oslo in cooperation with Fiberforening.
• Ræder Bing Law Firm (Norway)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Norwegian law firm Ræder Bing supported and organized the VATM 2026 excursion to Oslo, making its office premises available for the delegation.
• Stiftung Datenschutz (Data Privacy Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVATM partners with Stiftung Datenschutz to co-host the Datenschutz am Mittag (Data Protection at Midday) webinar series, covering topics such as deletion concepts, GDPR fines, whistle-blower systems, and data transfers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• BREKO (Bundesverband Breitbandkommunikation): German federal broadband association representing alternative fiber operators and ISPs. Directly comparable as a competing telecom trade association in Germany; co-hosts the Praxisforum Digitale Infrastrukturen with VATM and operates as a sibling body for the fiber segment.
• Buglas (Breitband-Verband): German fiber industry association representing companies deploying fiber-to-the-home networks. Comparable as a focused telecom trade association overlapping with VATM on fiber advocacy, and a frequent co-host of joint industry events.

Broad incumbents

• Bitkom: Germany's largest digital industry trade association covering IT, telecom, internet, and digital services. Overlaps with VATM on telecom policy and represents a broader cross-industry membership; joint partner on consumer publications.
• eco – Verband der Internetwirtschaft: German internet industry association covering ISPs, hosting, and digital infrastructure. Comparable as a German telecom/internet trade body with overlapping advocacy on infrastructure, regulation, and data protection.
• ETNO (European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association): European telecom operators association representing primarily incumbent carriers at EU level. Comparable as a telecom trade body operating in the same regulatory arena where VATM engages via its Brussels office.
• GSMA: Global mobile operators association representing mobile carriers worldwide. Comparable as the international counterpart trade body for mobile network operators, many of whom are VATM members in Germany.
• DigitalEurope: European digital industry trade association representing technology companies on EU digital policy. Comparable as a Brussels-based trade body engaging on overlapping regulatory files such as DNA and GIA.

Emerging players

• FTTH Council Europe: Industry organization focused on accelerating fiber-to-the-home adoption across Europe. Comparable as a niche fiber-focused advocacy body operating in the same infrastructure policy domain as VATM.

Others

• BDI (Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie): German industry federation representing the broader industrial base. Comparable as a German umbrella industry association with policy influence in Berlin and Brussels on cross-cutting issues affecting telecom operators.
• ZVEI (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie): German electrical and digital industry association representing equipment vendors and infrastructure providers. Comparable as a German industry trade body with overlapping membership and adjacent telecom/digital infrastructure advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vatmde
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzeK5J4V24r_m-lHMtO-BlA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vatm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vatm