There are less and less ‘white spots’ on the network coverage map and performance is improving in the areas that have coverage. At the same time, progress continues to be slow in the expansion of the 5G network. These are the results of this year’s mobile network test carried out by IMTEST and zafaco.
In the provider rankings, there were no changes compared to last year’s test: Telekom remains number 1 among the providers (with an overall rating of very good / 1.4). Telefonica is second (good / 1.8) ahead of Vodafone (good / 2.1).
On behalf of IMTEST, the zafaco company carried out one of the most comprehensive tests to date of the German mobile networks. The test combines test runs with data from stationary measurement units and user-based measurements. For the first time, the combination of social media with Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp was tested.
The test results are based on the following criteria:
Voice quality:
With test smartphones installed in the interior of the vehicle, the testers undertook a 10,000 kilometre-long trip through Germany. In addition to stops in 30 towns and cities, the testers were able to measure the network quality on motorways and rural roads. A second component of the evaluation of mobile telephony connections was carried out in seven German cities using stationary measurement units. In a third component of the evaluation, test connections were made between fixed and mobile network connections and these were analysed.
Data transfer:
The quality of the mobile data connections was tested during the measurement run and also on the basis of measurements generated by users when using the Federal Network Agency’s measurement app for broadband measurement. During the measurement runs, for example, website calls were initiated, uploads and downloads were triggered (as when sending and receiving e-mails or downloading files) and video streams were started in turn, in order to test a typical real-life scenario.
You can find the complete test results here.