Our Supply Chain
The solid basis of our value creation lies in the expansion, operation, and provision of high-performance infrastructure such as fiber optic and mobile networks. These networks, along with our data centers, form the backbone of digital communication and enable reliable data transmission in excellent quality.
Since we do not manufacture hardware ourselves, we source products such as network components and technologies through a global supply chain (upstream). The products we obtain from our direct vendors include primarily network technologies (mobile and fixed devices), transport and core components, IT infrastructure, and related services (such as support and maintenance).
We place great importance on sustainability aspects in procurement and therefore take measures to encourage environmentally friendly and socially responsible supply chains. For example, through strict due diligence checks, we ensure that our suppliers meet our high requirements regarding social and environmental standards. In addition, our contracts with suppliers include clear clauses on compliance with human rights and environmental standards.
Commissioned suppliers are contractually obliged to comply with the A1 Code of Conduct by means of the General Terms and Conditions for Purchasing. Independent of specific procurement projects, the A1 Group expects potential suppliers to commit to transparent and sustainable supply chains. These requirements are set out in the Conflict Minerals Policy and the Human Rights Policy, with the goal of promoting sustainable products and services that are manufactured in compliance with human rights.
In addition, A1 Group implements a cross-border, digital supplier relationship management system. This creates a risk profile for the top suppliers and interacts with the suppliers in relevant areas (from CO2 emissions, HR compliance and conflict minerals to competition compliance, sustainability, data protection and data security) in order to ascertain compliance in the aforementioned areas, set appropriate mitigation measures in the event of deviations and ensure their implementation.
All these measures already implemented by A1 Group anticipate, to a certain extent, compliance with the Supply Chain Governance Act being drafted at EU level. Processes and their underlying software will be rolled out across the Group after implementation in Austria.
To expand our impact along the global ICT supply chain and further develop sustainability standards, A1 Group has joined the Joint Alliance for CSR, an association of telecommunications companies aimed at defining, anchoring, and monitoring CSR criteria within supply chains. This membership serves as an additional tool to ensure supplier compliance with A1 Group’s ESG guidelines, particularly through audit results shared within JAC.
Furthermore, as a telecommunications company reliant on global battery supply chains, we recognize our responsibility to help mitigate the adverse human rights impacts associated with the sourcing of critical raw materials like cobalt.Hence we support the Save the Children program to protect children in high-risk mining regions.
