Deutsche Telekom splits ecommerce arms

Deutsche Telekom (DT) is reorganising its ecommerce strategy with the creation of T-Systems AG - made up of its IT services division and Debis Systemhaus, bought from DaimlerChrysler earlier in the year.

Karl Heinz Achinger, formerly of Debis AG, will become CEO of the new division.

As part of the reorganisation, DT's multimedia division will be split between its ISP T-Online and T-Systems. The new subsidiary concentrating on the business-to-business market, and the former on the consumer arena.

A web portal - T-Info - based on DT's online yellow pages is also under construction, to provide information services over mobile phones, landlines and PCs and to act as a bridge for T-Systems, T-Online and DT's wireless business.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, T-Systems is expected to keep its eye on American acquisitions to position itself as a global provider of internet services.

Achinger will be joined on the management board by Rudolf Groeger - formerly of Siemens - to head up international business; Christian Hufnagel - DT's previous head of systems - to control the home market; Juergen Galla - of DT's controlling division- as CFO; and a fifth, as yet unnamed,