Mobile network: Regional gaps despite high coverage in Germany!

Mobile network: Regional gaps despite high coverage in Germany!

The first nationwide mobile phone measurement week, which took place from May 26th to June 1st, 2025, delivered exciting results: In Germany, the coverage of the mobile network is above average, but there are some significant gaps regionally. Around 98 percent of the measuring points recorded were determined using 4G and 5G technologies. Nevertheless, dead spots were recorded in less than 1 percent of the measuring points, which should not be underestimated. The PZ News reports on the significant lessons learned from this initiative.

With over 150,000 participants, the measurement week was a complete success, as reported by the Federal Network Agency. The data was collected anonymously via the Funkloch app and is used to check network coverage and identify local discrepancies. Federal Digital Minister Dr. Karsten Wildberger emphasizes the importance of measurements in order to create transparency about network gaps and to sustainably improve mobile phone coverage. The initiative, which was launched together with the federal, state and local governments, is also a contribution to strengthening rural areas, as Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer notes.

Measurement data and results

The numbers speak for themselves: of the measuring points recorded nationwide, 0.76 percent have no available mobile phone network. Particularly noteworthy are the larger supply gaps in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, where 1.12 percent of the measurements remained without network availability. On a national average, 1.27 percent of measurements are only registered in the 2G network, with an annoying peak of 2.25 percent in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. These results are not only a pointer to mobile phone providers, but also an important step towards greater transparency for users.

According to the data collected, 4G coverage in Germany has reached 97.53 percent, while 5G availability already covers more than 93.85 percent of the area. This also means that 14 percent of the federal area is classified as “grey spots” – i.e. with at least one, but not all, providers with 4G or 5G. Around 2.10 percent of the area are even “white spots” where there is no 4G or 5G coverage. An interactive mobile phone map of the Federal Network Agency shows what the current supply looks like from the consumer's perspective. This map is updated regularly and therefore always provides current information on network coverage.

The future of mobile communications

The collection of mobile phone data is not only seen as a success, but also as a pioneer for further improvements in network coverage. With around 145 million recorded, valid measuring points, the data covers around 16 percent of the federal area. This planned expansion of the measurement concept is urgently needed in order to directly incorporate the user perspective into the discussion about network coverage and quality.

The mobile phone measurement week shows that there is still a need for optimization, especially in rural areas. In order to further improve the quality of care, those responsible plan to carry out such surveys regularly in the future. This is the only way to ensure that all citizens have access to a stable mobile network, regardless of where they live.