Although satellite and cable television remain the dominant reception methods in German households, internet-based TV (IPTV) continues to grow in 2026.
Since the abolition of the ancillary cost privilege on 1 July 2024, tenants in particular are faced with the initial decision of which reception method to choose. Increasingly, the preference is for bundled services combining telephone, internet and television from a single provider.
The next step presents consumers with a wide range of provider options. In the zafaco IPTV Test 2026, five providers compete with a variety of tariffs that cover the full spectrum of relevant offerings.
Continuity meets innovation
zafaco has been conducting regular tests of the quality of German IPTV services since 2012. Over time, the methodology has been continuously adapted to changing conditions, technical requirements and consumer expectations.
As a result, the IPTV Network Test 2026 delivers a detailed assessment of the key criteria consumers consider when selecting an internet provider. The focus lies on four test categories:
- Stability
- Voice (telephony)
- Data (high-speed internet)
- IPTV
zafaco evaluates a total of 71 quality parameters from a user’s perspective. Users expect a consistently available internet connection (stability) as the foundation for all related services, including TV and internet-based telephony (VoIP).
For telephony, high standards of voice quality also apply. The data category focuses on bandwidth and transmission stability, which are particularly critical for demanding applications such as HD or even 4K television, as well as online gaming. With the IPTV category, the test takes a dedicated look at the quality and reliability of content delivery, both for linear TV and streaming services.
Technically sound and close to real life
A key priority of the zafaco IPTV test is realistic evaluation under real-world conditions. Abstract laboratory values are of limited value to consumers, and theoretical performance metrics often fail to reflect weaknesses in everyday use.
Therefore, the IPTV Test 2026 is based on realistic usage scenarios. Services included in IPTV tariffs are used intensively and, crucially, simultaneously: watching TV—potentially on multiple devices—while browsing the internet on a smartphone or tablet and making phone calls at the same time. This is not a theoretical peak-load scenario, but everyday life in multi-person households in Germany, and thus the benchmark for internet providers.
In addition, results must not rely solely on snapshots. Variations depending on the time of day are familiar to all users and must be taken into account. The zafaco IPTV test addresses this with a comprehensive dataset of an impressive 685,143 measurements conducted between 16 February and 15 March 2026.
Results outlook: a close race across the field
In the zafaco IPTV Network Test 2026, the five leading internet providers in Germany competed against each other:
- 1&1
- Deutsche Glasfaser
- O2 Telefónica
- Telekom
- Vodafone
Comparable tariffs were analysed across DSL, fibre (FTTH) and broadband cable networks (DOCSIS).
As in previous years, zafaco presents the results of the IPTV Network Test 2026 in cooperation with the renowned consumer magazine IMTEST.
Once again, Telekom takes first place overall. Second place goes to 1&1, also for the second consecutive year. Notably, however, the gap between the two has narrowed significantly. In fact, they are now separated by just one hundredth in the grading system: Telekom leads with a score of 1.10 (“very good”), followed closely by 1&1 with 1.11 (“very good”). Telekom’s lead is primarily due to its outstanding performance in the IPTV category, while 1&1 holds a slight advantage in the other main categories.
For consumers, it is therefore worth taking a closer look at the detailed results. Beyond the overall ranking, these allow for evaluation based on individual needs and preferences. For example, even Vodafone—ranked last overall with a score of 1.98 (“good”), on par with O2 Telefónica—achieves a top position in the “High-speed Internet” category.