Analysis of Telecom Network Expansion in Germany

Overview

The text highlights ongoing network expansion activities by major telecom operators (Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and o2 Telefónica) across various regions in Germany. The focus is on 5G coverage, new site constructions, and modernization projects aimed at improving broadband capacity. Key metrics include percentage point increases in coverage, new sites added, and frequency bands used for 5G deployment.

Deutsche Telekom

Key Facts:

• Baden-Württemberg:

  • Added 13 new 5G sites in the east Alb region, increasing coverage from 62% to 80%.
  • Deployed 12 new sites in the Black Country, coverage rose from 48% to 73%.
  • Constructed a 45-meter tower in Itterhof to enhance network supply.

• Bavaria:

  • County of Cham saw a 21% increase in 5G coverage (85%).
  • Donau-Ries and Landshut districts added 16 and 17 new sites, respectively.

• Brandenburg:

  • Märkisch-Oder County expanded 5G coverage from 1600 km² to 2000 km² (+19%).

• Hessen:

  • Rhine-Taunus-Kreis increased coverage from 489 km² to 624 km² (+17%).
  • Darmstadt-Dieburg County expanded coverage from 494 km² to 607 km² (+17%).

• North Rhine-Westphalia:

  • Siegen-Wittgenstein County expanded coverage from 700 km² to 909 km² (+18%).

• Rhineland-Palatinate:

  • Rhine-Lahn district increased coverage from 487 km² to 652 km² (+21%).

• Saxony:

  • Saxony-Switzerland-Osterz Mountains expanded coverage from 909 km² to 1300 km² (+24%).

Vodafone

Key Facts:

• Baden-Baden:

  • Completed seven projects, with two more planned.
  • 95% of the population now covered by 5G (13 sites).

• Bavaria:

  • Modernized stations in Göppingen, Kammeltal, Hirschberg, Fellbach, and Rheinfelden.

• Brandenburg:

  • Modernized a station in Kempten to boost broadband capacity.

• Hessen:

  • Modernized stations in Heuchelheim, Montabaur, and Eschelbach.

• Lower Saxony:

  • Modernized stations in Damme and Oldorf.

• North Rhine-Westphalia:

  • Modernized stations in Moers, Kleve, Ascheberg, and Dormagen.

• Saxony:

  • Added new stations in Leubsdorf, Reichenbach, Görlitz, and Lichtenau to fill coverage gaps.
  • By mid-2026, plans to build three more stations in Mittelsachsen.

o2 Telefónica

Key Facts:

• Baden-Württemberg:

  • Deployed a new 5G base station in the 700/1800 MHz band.

• Bavaria:

  • Added a new 5G base station in the 3600 MHz band in Bamberg.

• Brandenburg:

  • No specific data provided.

• Hessen:

  • Deployed new 5G base stations in the 700/1800 MHz band in Korbach, Malsfeld, and Birkenau.

• Lower Saxony:

  • No specific data provided.

• North Rhine-Westphalia:

  • Added new 5G base stations in the 3600 MHz band in Mönchengladbach.

• Rhineland-Palatinate:

  • No specific data provided.

• Saxony:

  • Deployed new 5G base stations in the 3600 MHz band in Zwickau and Dresden.

• Thuringia:

  • Added new 5G base stations in the 3600 MHz band in Erfurt.

Market and Industry Implications

• 5G Rollout Progress:

  • All major telecom operators are actively expanding their 5G networks, with coverage improvements ranging from +17% to +24%.
  • Vodafone leads in urban areas, with over 95% coverage in Baden-Baden.

• Competitive Dynamics:

  • Deutsche Telekom dominates rural expansions, while Vodafone focuses on modernizing urban networks.
  • o2 Telefónica is leveraging higher frequency bands (3600 MHz) for enhanced capacity in key cities.

• Strategic Considerations:

  • Operators are prioritizing regions with higher population density and potential for growth.
  • Modernization projects indicate a focus on improving broadband capacity to meet growing demand.

• Long-Term Effects:

  • Continued expansion will drive digital transformation, enabling IoT, smart cities, and industrial applications.
  • Regulatory support for spectrum allocation and infrastructure sharing may further accelerate deployment.

Conclusion

The telecom sector in Germany is undergoing significant transformation with a focus on 5G deployment. Operators are investing heavily in network expansion, modernization, and coverage improvements to meet growing demand for high-speed connectivity. The competitive landscape remains dynamic, with each operator targeting specific regions and technologies to maintain market share and customer satisfaction.