Different legal frameworks and cultural values in the countries where Deutsche Telekom is active represent a significant compliance challenge for us. The increasingly dynamic development of global markets, new digital business models, and intensified international competition also influence our compliance strategy.

To meet the Group’s demands as an international corporation, we regularly discuss strategic compliance topics with compliance officers at our international Group companies worldwide. In 2022, the compliance officers at the largest and most strategically important international units once again met in person, together with experts from the Group Compliance unit at a conference for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. The onboarding process of our new international compliance managers involves inviting them to Germany, to familiarize them with compliance topics, our culture of compliance, and the challenges facing the Group, in addition to introducing them to their colleagues. International interaction also takes place during monthly online “compliance community calls.” Topics for 2022 included: “Presenting new features in the compliance reporting tool,” “Compliance tasks in the ESG  governance framework,” “Digital ethics,” and “Presenting the international compliance teams and work priorities.” The compliance community calls also involved presentations of best practices that were developed from compliance audits  in the Group and explanations by the units.

We also discuss compliance issues with other companies and with expert groups. In addition, we regularly promote the further development of compliance standards and management systems through specialist presentations, publications, and other contributions.