All three mobile network operators have achieved the required coverage of 98% of households with at least 100 Mbits in each federal state
German mobile operators said they have fulfilled with the coverage obligations required in the terms of the 5G spectrum auction in 2019.
The country’s federal network agency, Bundesnetzagentur, said that mobile operators Telefonica Germany, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and new entrant 1&1 have submitted technical reports with details of their deployments.
“We examine the reports very carefully and will also take measurements on site to determine whether the reported coverage is actually available. If the conditions are not met, we will take all available sanctions,” said Klaus Müller, president of the federal network agency.
The agency said that local network operators have made significant efforts in recent months to comply with the coverage goals, adding that significant improvements in mobile broadband coverage have been reported. In some cases, temporary mobile sites have been erected that are to be replaced by mobile phone masts in the future, according to Bundesnetzagentur.
According to their own information, all three mobile network operators have achieved the required coverage of 98% of households with at least 100 Mbits in each federal state. The obligation imposed to put 1,000 5G base stations has largely been achieved, the agency said.
According to the regulator, there are still some gaps in terms of coverage in routes and tunnels, with missing infrastructure attributed to a range of issues including problems in the process to obtain permits, difficulties dealing with third parties and nature conservation-related reasons.
According to its own statement, 1&1 put a 5G mobile network into operation for public end customer use in December 2022, but the coverage requirement for the commissioning of 1,000 5G base stations had been not met on time. The regulator said that the new mobile operator will fulfill with this coverage goal during 2023.
Bundesnetzagentur said it is currently checking the information provided by the mobile network operators and confirmed it will examine the reasons for the delays.
The final draft conditions required minimum data rates of 100 Mbps available by the end of 2022 in 98% of households in each state, all federal highways, all main roads and along the major railway routes.
Also, each existing carrier must also install 1,000 5G base stations and 500 other base stations in defined areas by the end of 2022.
At the end of 2024, 5G coverage should be extended to seaports, main waterways and all other road and rail routes in the country. The regulator said that the minimum coverage rules will not be applicable to any new entrant.
