Router obligation
A router requirement means that a participant can not use his own device for network access, since the network operator does not provide the access data to his network even on request. A forced router is a DSL router , cable modem or cable router modem or integrated access device that is configured exclusively by the network operator. A forced router can be technically fully equipped; however, it can also be arbitrarily restricted so that e.g. B. a built-in WLAN functionality is only activated for a monthly surcharge. It can also affect network neutrality by prioritizing or discriminating certain services with its configuration. After the end of the contract, the device is often worthless for the user, as he cannot change the access data. Therefore, with some network operators, these devices are often only rental devices.
Legal situation in Germany
The amendment to the law of January 23, 2016 ( Federal Law Gazette I p. 106 ) clarifies the legal situation. The previous approach was incompatible with the fully liberalized terminal equipment market of Directive 2008/63 / EC of June 20, 2008 on competition in the market for telecommunications terminal equipment .
The forced router was abolished by a clarification in the Telecommunications Act (TKG) with effect from August 1, 2016: It was stipulated that access to public telecommunications networks according to Section 45d (1) TKG is a passive network termination point , and the public telecommunications network ends at the passive network termination point .
Information obligations for network operators, subject to fines, are intended to ensure that action can be taken against providers who should continue to insist on forced routers. Since August 1, 2016, participants have received the necessary access data and connection information in text form, unsolicited and free of charge when the contract is concluded ( Section 41b (1) sentence 3 TKG).
safety
The market-restricting effect of the compulsion leads to less variety in router hardware, since most access providers use router hardware from a single manufacturer for reasons of cost. Because of the times for software updates determined by the access provider, the software version is also standardized. It is therefore sometimes feared that attacks on network infrastructures will be made possible on a large scale. In some cases, access providers see security as a reason not to hand over the access data. A freely selectable second router can be connected to the router's LAN output for network access, which the user can manage as required and also use it to secure his own network.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Andreas Fischer: DSL provider: How to bypass the router requirement , com! professional on March 23, 2014, last accessed on October 21, 2015
- ↑ a b Draft law on the selection and connection of telecommunications terminals ( BT-Drs. 18/6280 )
- ↑ Beck aktuell news: Draft law: router freely selectable in future
- ↑ Stefan Krempl: Grand coalition wants to prevent forced routers of the providers , heise.de, accessed on October 20, 2015
- ↑ Answers and small inquiries regarding statements by the Federal Network Agency on so-called forced routers ( BT-Drs. 17/13841 )
- ↑ a b Statement by the CCC to the Federal Network Agency on the security of standardized router software (PDF; 194 K), p. 9 and p. 3
- ↑ initially introduced in Section 11 of the Act on Radio Systems and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment and incorporated into the Telecommunications Act with effect from July 4, 2017
- ↑ Article 2 of the law of June 27, 2017 ( Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1947, 1960 )
- ↑ Andreas Fischer: How to bypass the router requirement: Which providers want a router requirement? , com! professional on March 23, 2014, last accessed on October 21, 2015