Mobile networks in testing
This provider offers the best reception
11/26/2024 – 12:01 a.mReading time: 2 min.
The “connect” mobile phone test shows the balance of power between German providers. There are many positive signals this year – even from the railways.
Deutsche Telekom has won the mobile phone test conducted by the trade magazine “connect” for the 14th time in a row. Accordingly, the company once again achieved the top rating of “outstanding” with 970 out of 1,000 possible points and was even able to improve its previous year’s result by three points.
The test was carried out for the 31st time this year. The measurements took place between October 14 and 25, 2024. Four measuring vehicles were used, each equipped with nine smartphones and covering a total of 11,030 kilometers.
Vodafone took second place with 924 points and the grade “very good”. The company was able to largely maintain its previous year’s results, which, according to “connect”, can be seen as a success given the increased requirements and increased competition. Telefónica/O2 reached third place with 909 points, also with the grade “very good”. With an increase of 14 points, the provider recorded the most significant improvement of all network operators.
The results of the 5G expansion are particularly revealing: in large cities, Telekom provides almost comprehensive 5G coverage of over 99 percent. Telefónica follows with almost 96 percent, Vodafone achieves around 89 percent. In small towns the gap increases: Here Telekom has over 97 percent 5G coverage, while Vodafone has around 80 percent and Telefónica around 74 percent.
The speed tests in large cities also saw top values for Telekom: the fastest 10 percent of the measurements achieved 915 megabits per second (Mbit/s). Telefónica/O2 and Vodafone are almost on par with 598 and 564 Mbit/s, respectively, but clearly behind.
When it comes to voice telephony, there are only very small differences in quality between providers in cities. However, the further you go into rural areas, the more noticeable the gaps between the leading Telekom and its competitors become.
Mobile phone coverage on trains remains a particular challenge. According to “connect”, initial improvements are evident, but the results here still lag behind other test scenarios. Telekom still achieves a 5G share of over 95 percent on trains, while Vodafone has almost 65 percent and Telefónica has almost 58 percent.
According to the testers, there is also further potential for improvement on connecting roads. Here, Vodafone and Telefónica in particular are significantly behind Telekom. This would be particularly noticeable for drivers who want to make phone calls while driving.
The studies took place in 23 large cities and 25 small towns – they covered 19.7 percent of the German population. For the first time, evaluations of video chats were also included in the test results in order to do justice to the growing importance of this form of communication.
Crowdsourcing played an important role in the test, accounting for 25 percent of the overall rating. To do this, the testers evaluated over 16.5 billion data points from almost 3.6 million users. This data was collected between May and October 2024 and provides information about the actual user experience in everyday life. Here too, Telekom is ahead, although Telefónica was able to overtake Vodafone in some measurements.
What advancements in mobile technology can we expect to see in Germany’s telecommunications sector over the next few years?
Interview: The Future of Mobile Networks in Germany
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our engaging discussion today on the latest mobile network test results in Germany. I’m thrilled to have Dr. Anna Müller, telecommunications expert and analyst, with us. Thank you for joining, Dr. Müller!
Dr. Anna Müller (AM): Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the current state of mobile networks in Germany, especially with the recent findings.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Deutsche Telekom has once again emerged as the leading provider in the latest test conducted by “connect.” This makes it their 14th win in a row! What do you think are the key factors behind their continued success?
AM: That’s a great question! Telekom’s success can be attributed to several factors, including significant investment in infrastructure, their extensive 5G coverage, and consistently high performance in both speed and reliability. Achieving an outstanding rating of 970 out of 1,000 points is no small feat, especially as consumer expectations continue to rise.
TNE: Absolutely! They reported a remarkable 99 percent 5G coverage in large cities. How does this level of coverage impact user experience compared to their competitors, particularly in urban areas?
AM: The high 5G coverage directly translates into faster data speeds and a smoother user experience. For instance, the top speeds reached by Telekom were a staggering 915 megabits per second. When users have access to such high speeds, applications like streaming, gaming, and working from home become seamless. In contrast, Vodafone and Telefónica, with lower coverage percentages, might struggle to provide the same quality, which could lead to user dissatisfaction.
TNE: Interesting! Speaking of Vodafone and Telefónica, they still managed to rank second and third, respectively. What do you think these companies need to do to close the gap with Telekom?
AM: Both Vodafone and Telefónica have made strides, particularly with Vodafone maintaining a solid performance despite increasing competition. However, they must focus on expanding their 5G infrastructure and improving their coverage in both urban and rural areas. For example, while Vodafone’s urban coverage is at 89 percent, rural areas show an even larger disparity. Bridging that gap in coverage could significantly boost their ratings.
TNE: You mentioned rural areas—how do the networks perform differently there compared to urban settings?
AM: The differences in quality become more pronounced as you move out of urban centers. While the voice telephony quality is quite similar in cities, rural users often experience significant zones of poor connectivity. Telekom’s 97 percent 5G coverage in small towns dramatically outpaces its competitors, which can play a crucial role in customer satisfaction and retention.
TNE: That leads me to the broader implications of these results. What do you think these rankings mean for consumers and for the industry as a whole?
AM: For consumers, these results are outstanding news. They have a clearer understanding of which providers offer the best service and can make informed choices based on this data. For the industry, it emphasizes the importance of continued investment in technology and infrastructure. As the demand for data continues to grow, companies that rest on their laurels may find themselves at a disadvantage.
TNE: That’s an enlightening perspective, Dr. Müller. Before we wrap up, how do you envision the future of mobile networking in Germany over the next few years?
AM: I foresee a significant push towards full nationwide 5G coverage, with providers competing on not just speed but also the reliability of service—especially in rural areas. We’re likely to see more partnerships between network providers and technological innovators, focusing on smart city initiatives and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The next few years will be critical for shaping how we integrate mobile technology into our daily lives.
TNE: It sounds like an exciting time ahead for mobile networks in Germany! Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Müller. We appreciate you taking the time to join us today.
AM: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the evolving landscape of telecommunications.
TNE: And thank you to our readers for tuning in! Until next time, stay connected!