Europe's biggest telecoms group Deutsche Telekom AG said today that the first quarter earnings dropped 5.8 per cent in the face of intense competition in its domestic German market, reported the German news agency dpa. Indeed, strong growth in the group's overseas operations and broadband business failed to offset a slump in fixed-line customers and mobile sales in Germany with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization falling to 4.682 billion euros (6.347 billion dollars) from 4.970 billion euros a year earlier. The release of the Bonn-based company's latest results come as signs emerged of a showdown between Telekom and the unions over its tough cost-cutting plans. -- SPA
