“I am pleased to see network operators continuing to expand 5G coverage. An increasing number of mobile customers are benefiting from the very high speeds. For the first time, we have included these developments in the annual report and conducted a technology-specific analysis. Significant differences between 4G and 5G were observed, with 5G performing more favorably,” said Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency.
Fixed-Line and Mobile Network Results
In the fixed-line sector, 86.5 percent of users (2022/2023: 85.5 percent) achieved at least half of the contractually agreed maximum download speed. For 45.2 percent of users (2022/2023: 43.5 percent), the full speed was reached or even exceeded. This represents an improvement over the previous year.
In mobile networks, the proportion of 5G measurements increased again. In the current reporting period, approximately 44 percent of all measurements included in the report were conducted via 5G (2022/2023: 28.5 percent). 5G enables very high data transfer rates, which in some cases significantly exceed the estimated maximum speed specified in the contract. For very high-speed plans, providers do not impose speed limitations.
For the first time, the report differentiates between 4G and 5G technologies and, within 5G, between low and high bandwidth classes. As a result, a direct comparison with previous years is no longer possible.
Updated Map View
The separate analysis of mobile technologies also affects the maps provided as part of the broadband measurement. While fixed-line maps continue to display absolute measured data transfer rates and provider-specific contract fulfillment levels, mobile maps now focus solely on the absolute measured data rates at the network operator level. Therefore, going forward, results for fixed-line and mobile networks will be presented in separate maps.
Measurement Results Do Not Indicate Broadband Availability
The results of the broadband measurements depend on the specific contract the user has with their provider. Therefore, no conclusions about broadband availability or service coverage can be drawn from these measurements. The aim is to verify whether providers deliver the bandwidth promised in their contracts.
Annual Report on Broadband Measurement
The ninth annual report covers the period from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. A total of 276,081 fixed-line measurements (2022/2023: 305,035 valid measurements) and 562,305 mobile measurements (2022/2023: 563,363) were included in the report.
The full report is available at: https://breitbandmessung.de/archiv-jahresberichte
Further information and detailed visualizations – including provider-specific data – can be found in the interactive results section at: https://breitbandmessung.de/interaktive-darstellung
About the Broadband Measurement Platform
On behalf of the Federal Network Agency, zafaco GmbH developed the broadband measurement platform, which has been in operation since 2015 and is continuously being enhanced.
This platform enables users to test the speed of their internet connection – both fixed and mobile – independently. It promotes transparency, highlights performance gaps, and supports improvements in broadband infrastructure throughout Germany.