How well do Germany’s mobile networks really perform? This is the question IMTEST, the consumer magazine of the FUNKE Media Group, and zafaco GmbH set out to answer in their joint Mobile Network Test 2026. The study examined the networks of Germany’s four mobile network operators: 1&1, O₂ Telefónica, Telekom, and Vodafone.
The focus was not solely on maximum speeds, but above all on the actual quality and reliability of mobile connections in everyday use. Whether for video conferencing, streaming, remote working, or traditional voice calls, what matters most is that digital applications function reliably and consistently at all times.
Telekom Wins the Mobile Network Test 2026
Telekom secured first place with an overall score of 1.24 and a quality rating of “Very Good.” It was followed by 1&1 with a score of 1.56, Vodafone with 1.62, and O₂ Telefónica with 1.68, all three receiving a quality rating of “Good.”
The results demonstrate that all four network operators deliver an overall level of quality ranging from good to very good. At the same time, the test highlights differences in the performance, stability, and reliability of the individual networks.
A New Evaluation Criterion: How Reliably Do Operators Deliver on Their Performance Promises?
A key innovation in this year’s Mobile Network Test is the inclusion of delivery reliability, which assesses the extent to which actual download and upload speeds correspond to the contractually agreed estimated maximum data transmission rates.
The assessment is based on user-initiated measurements collected through the German Federal Network Agency’s (Bundesnetzagentur) Mobilfunk-Check app. The evaluation deliberately distinguishes between actual data throughput and the extent to which operators deliver on their contractual performance commitments.
“Speed alone is not enough. What matters is how reliably mobile connectivity performs in everyday use and whether network operators deliver on their performance promises,” explains Christoph Sudhues, founder and Managing Partner of zafaco GmbH.
The network test therefore places greater emphasis on an aspect that is equally relevant to consumers and businesses: The quality of a mobile service is determined not by its theoretically achievable maximum speed, but by the performance actually available to users.
Real-World Measurements Across Six Evaluation Dimensions
Approximately 220 million measurements were analyzed as part of the Mobile Network Test 2026. The technical measurements were conducted between August 31 and September 27, 2026. In addition, user-based measurement data collected over a twelve-month period through the Federal Network Agency’s broadband measurement initiative (Breitbandmessung) were incorporated into the assessment.
The enhanced testing methodology covers a total of 77 quality indicators across six key evaluation dimensions:
- Data: Actual download and upload performance, as well as delivery reliability
- Network Availability: Availability of mobile connections and 4G and 5G technologies at the recorded measurement locations
- Stability: Reliability, response times, and connection quality
- Streaming: Loading times, playback quality, and reliability of audio and video streams
- Web Browsing: Speed and reliability when accessing websites and online services
- Voice: Call setup, voice quality, and call stability
By combining extensive technical measurements with user-based measurement data, the study provides a comprehensive and differentiated picture of actual mobile network quality in Germany.
Transparency for Consumers and the Telecommunications Market
The Mobile Network Test 2026 demonstrates that a high-performance digital infrastructure requires much more than high data transmission rates. Network availability, stability, application performance, and the fulfillment of promised service levels are equally important quality factors.
Through its comprehensive and practice-oriented testing methodology, zafaco, together with IMTEST, provides a transparent and reliable basis for comparing mobile network performance, offering valuable insights for consumers, businesses, and the telecommunications industry.
The complete results of the Mobile Network Test 2026, including detailed individual assessments and further background information, are available at MTEST.de and in today's editions of FUNKE's daily newspapers.