Germany telecommunications market
Germany telecommunications market statistics on fixed broadband, mobile networks and voice telephony.
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| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed broadband6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed broadband: lines by technology1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total active broadband lines5 | 38.8 | 38.6 | 38.4 | 37.5 | 36.9 | 36.2 | 35.2 | 34.2 | 33.2 | 32 | 30.7 | 29.6 | 28.7 | 28 | 27.3 | 26.2 | 25 | 22.7 | 19.7 | 15 | 10.8 | 7 | 4.5 | ||||||
| DSL | 22.7 | 23.6 | 24.5 | 24.7 | 25.4 | 25.4 | 25.3 | 25 | 24.7 | 24 | 23.5 | 23.3 | 23.2 | 23.3 | 23.5 | 23 | 22.4 | 20.9 | 18.5 | 14.4 | 10.5 | 6.8 | 4.4 | ||||||
| Hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 8 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 5.9 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | ||||||
| Fibre to the home/building | 6.4 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 2 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed wireless via LTE/5G | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Leased lines, microwave, satellite and other | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed broadband: fibre lines in use1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total FttH and FttB2 | 6.4 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 2 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fibre to the home (FttH) | 5.2 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fibre to the building (FttB) | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed broadband: fibre homes passed, connected and activated5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FttB activated | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FttB connected | 3.3 | 3.1 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homes passed | 27.1 | 21.8 | 17.9 | 13.1 | 8.9 | 6.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FttH connected | 7.1 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3 | 2.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FttH activated | 5.2 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed broadband: DSL lines by wholesale access1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total active DSL lines3 | 22.7 | 23.6 | 24.5 | 24.7 | 25.4 | 25.4 | 25.3 | 25 | 24.7 | 24 | 23.5 | 23.3 | 23.2 | 23.3 | 23.5 | 23 | 22.4 | 20.9 | |||||||||||
| Deutsche Telekom direct customers | 13.2 | 13.7 | 14 | 13.9 | 13.9 | 13.7 | 13.5 | 13.3 | 13.1 | 12.9 | 12.6 | 12.3 | 12.3 | 12.4 | 12.3 | 11.9 | 11.5 | 10.6 | |||||||||||
| Competitors using Telekom bitstream and resale | 8 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 8 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 2 | 1.8 | 2 | 2 | 2.2 | 2.5 | |||||||||||
| Competitors using unbundled loops, other carriers or own networks | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.8 | 6.8 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 7.8 | |||||||||||
| Fixed broadband: market shares by provider group2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deutsche Telekom direct retail customers | 38.8 | 39.1 | 39 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.8 | 39 | 39.5 | 39.7 | 40.6 | 41.2 | 41.8 | 43.2 | 44.6 | 45.1 | 45.7 | 46.2 | 46.9 | 46.1 | 47.6 | 59.4 | 80.3 | 88.5 | 91.9 | 95 | ||||
| Competitors | 61.2 | 60.9 | 61 | 60.9 | 60.9 | 61.2 | 61 | 60.5 | 60.3 | 59.4 | 58.8 | 58.2 | 56.8 | 55.4 | 54.9 | 54.3 | 53.8 | 53.1 | 53.9 | 52.4 | 40.6 | 19.7 | 11.5 | 8.1 | 5 | ||||
| Fixed broadband: data traffic2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed broadband data volume | 175 | 149 | 132 | 121 | 100 | 81 | 60 | 46 | 39 | 28 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Average per line and month | 376 | 322 | 293 | 274 | 226 | 186 | 142 | 112 | 98 | 73 | 46 | 34 | 29 | 21 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed voice telephony2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed voice: access lines1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total2 | 37.9 | 38.4 | 38.7 | 38.6 | 38.5 | 38.4 | 38.3 | 38.4 | 38.6 | 38.2 | 37.8 | 37.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deutsche Telekom | 16.7 | 17.1 | 17.3 | 17.3 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 17.8 | 18.5 | 19.2 | 19.9 | 20.2 | 20.7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Competitors | 21.2 | 21.3 | 21.4 | 21.3 | 21 | 20.9 | 20.5 | 19.9 | 19.4 | 18.3 | 17.6 | 16.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed voice: call minutes1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total2 | 47 | 57 | 64 | 80 | 93 | 104 | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deutsche Telekom | 25 | 29 | 33 | 39 | 47 | 53 | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competitors | 22 | 28 | 31 | 41 | 46 | 51 | 46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile communications8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile: SIM profiles by provider type1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total active SIM profiles2 | 106.4 | 109.2 | 105.5 | 104.4 | 106.4 | 107.4 | 107.2 | 107.5 | 109.7 | 109.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile network operators | 95.5 | 86.6 | 81 | 80.5 | 81.5 | 80.2 | 79.8 | 80 | 81.6 | 83.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Service providers and MVNOs | 10.9 | 22.6 | 24.5 | 23.9 | 24.9 | 27.2 | 27.3 | 27.5 | 28.1 | 25.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile: SIM profiles by contract type1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total2 | 106.4 | 109.2 | 105.5 | 104.4 | 106.4 | 107.4 | 107.2 | 107.5 | 109.7 | 109.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Postpaid | 78.1 | 79.7 | 75 | 72.5 | 70.7 | 72.4 | 70.9 | 70.1 | 69.8 | 66.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid | 28.3 | 29.5 | 30.5 | 31.9 | 35.7 | 35 | 36.3 | 37.4 | 39.9 | 42.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile: machine-to-machine SIM profiles1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Machine-to-machine SIM profiles | 86.1 | 73.7 | 62.8 | 58.3 | 45.6 | 36 | 27.7 | 23.1 | 17.6 | 11.1 | 4.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile: base stations by technology1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total base stations4 | 238,820 | 222,474 | 214,677 | 203,241 | 187,443 | 224,554 | 190,595 | 181,640 | 175,976 | 179,690 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5G | 67,272 | 56,558 | 49,571 | 41,945 | 29,959 | 19,510 | 139 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| LTE/4G | 92,036 | 88,373 | 87,905 | 85,054 | 82,479 | 75,901 | 62,567 | 54,911 | 48,146 | 44,077 | |||||||||||||||||||
| UMTS/3G | 0 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 652 | 56,934 | 57,457 | 57,180 | 57,905 | 60,827 | |||||||||||||||||||
| GSM/2G | 79,512 | 77,543 | 77,201 | 76,131 | 74,353 | 72,209 | 70,432 | 69,549 | 69,925 | 74,786 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile: voice traffic2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outgoing mobile-network traffic | 131.57 | 147.8 | 153.49 | 159.28 | 162.59 | 155.28 | 126.88 | 118.5 | 115.88 | 115.57 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Incoming mobile-network traffic | 115.2 | 129.86 | 133.68 | 138.49 | 139.8 | 130.92 | 104.36 | 94.17 | 93.38 | 92.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mobile: data traffic2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total mobile data traffic | 10,860 | 9,592 | 9,118 | 6,714 | 5,457 | 3,972 | 2,757 | 1,993 | 1,388 | 913 | 575 | 395 | 267 | 156 | 100 | 65 | 33 | 11 | |||||||||||
| Average per active SIM and month | 8.4 | 7.4 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.01 | |||||||||||
| Mobile: SMS traffic1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Text messages sent | 2.9 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 7.8 | 7 | 7.9 | 8.9 | 10.3 | 12.7 | 16.6 | 22.3 | 37.9 | 59.8 | 54.9 | 41.5 | 34.1 | 27.8 | |||||||||||
| Mobile: international roaming3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Data generated abroad | 457.7 | 429 | 347.4 | 261.7 | 149.3 | 88.3 | 98.7 | 66.5 | 33.8 | 11.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outgoing call minutes abroad | 2,594 | 3,246 | 3,422 | 3,746 | 3,183 | 2,887 | 3,812 | 3,724 | 2,557 | 1,210 | |||||||||||||||||||
| SMS sent abroad | 96 | 150 | 212 | 179 | 152 | 110 | 223 | 277 | 320 | 219 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Market: revenue, investment and employment5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market: revenue by network1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total telecommunications market4 | 59.63 | 61.29 | 59.83 | 59.18 | 58.36 | 57.19 | 57.49 | 56.99 | 56.69 | 56.85 | 57.36 | 56.76 | 56.99 | 58.02 | 57.79 | 59.15 | 60.41 | ||||||||||||
| xDSL and Fttx networks | 25.66 | 25.73 | 25.07 | 24.94 | 24.94 | 24.63 | 21.79 | 21.6 | 21.65 | 21.96 | 22.15 | 23.19 | 23.69 | 24.45 | 24.97 | 26.3 | 27.78 | ||||||||||||
| HFC cable networks | 5.25 | 5.6 | 5.95 | 5.93 | 6.02 | 5.94 | 5.77 | 5.85 | 5.48 | 5.26 | 5.07 | 4.77 | 4.48 | 4.25 | 3.99 | 3.79 | 3.55 | ||||||||||||
| Mobile networks | 27.16 | 27.48 | 27.6 | 27.53 | 26.5 | 25.65 | 26.6 | 26.55 | 26.37 | 26.46 | 26.96 | 26.12 | 26.22 | 26.53 | 25.85 | 25.84 | 25.38 | ||||||||||||
| Other telecommunications revenue | 1.56 | 2.48 | 1.21 | 0.78 | 0.9 | 0.97 | 3.33 | 2.99 | 3.19 | 3.17 | 3.18 | 2.68 | 2.6 | 2.79 | 2.98 | 3.22 | 3.7 | ||||||||||||
| Market: revenue by provider group1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total telecommunications market2 | 59.6 | 61.3 | 59.8 | 59.2 | 58.4 | 57.2 | 57.5 | 57 | 56.7 | 56.9 | 57.4 | 56.8 | 57 | 58 | 57.8 | 59.2 | 60.4 | 62.3 | 63.9 | 66.3 | 67.3 | 66.8 | 63.9 | 62 | 60.5 | 56.2 | 48.1 | 44.2 | |
| Deutsche Telekom | 26.3 | 27.4 | 25.7 | 25.3 | 25.1 | 24.7 | 24.6 | 24.4 | 24.6 | 24.7 | 25.1 | 25 | 25.4 | 25.8 | 26.4 | 27.3 | 28 | 28.9 | 30.7 | 32.5 | 34.2 | 34.7 | 34.4 | 35.3 | 35.1 | 33.2 | 31.4 | 32.8 | |
| Competitors | 33.3 | 33.9 | 34.1 | 33.9 | 33.3 | 32.5 | 32.9 | 32.6 | 32.1 | 32.2 | 32.3 | 31.8 | 31.6 | 32.2 | 31.4 | 31.9 | 32.4 | 33.4 | 33.2 | 33.8 | 33.1 | 32.1 | 29.5 | 26.7 | 25.4 | 23 | 16.7 | 11.4 | |
| Market: mobile service revenue1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total mobile revenue2 | 27.16 | 27.48 | 27.6 | 27.53 | 26.5 | 25.65 | 26.6 | 26.55 | 26.37 | 26.46 | 26.96 | 26.12 | 26.22 | 26.53 | 25.85 | ||||||||||||||
| Mobile network operators | 22.3 | 22.65 | 22.75 | 22.55 | 21.64 | 20.95 | 21.58 | 21.67 | 21.25 | 21.44 | 22.22 | 21.94 | 21.89 | 22.53 | 21.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Service providers and MVNOs | 4.86 | 4.83 | 4.85 | 4.98 | 4.86 | 4.7 | 5.02 | 4.88 | 5.12 | 5.02 | 4.74 | 4.18 | 4.33 | 4 | 3.95 | ||||||||||||||
| Market: investment1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total telecommunications investment2 | 15.3 | 15.3 | 14.9 | 13.4 | 11.5 | 10.8 | 9.8 | 9.1 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8 | 7.6 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 6.5 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.5 | 7.1 | 11.5 | 9.9 | 7.8 | 7.2 | |
| Deutsche Telekom | 5.5 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 3 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 6.3 | 4.2 | 4 | 4.2 | |
| Competitors including cable-TV operators | 9.8 | 10.2 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 7 | 6.2 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 3 | |
| Market: employment1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total telecommunications employees2 | 122.6 | 128 | 132.4 | 133 | 135.8 | 139.8 | 143.8 | 147.9 | 153.7 | 159.6 | 165.9 | 169.2 | 170.7 | 173 | 175.2 | 176.9 | 184.2 | 188.1 | 204.6 | 214.7 | 224.1 | 225.3 | 230.6 | 231.5 | 240.7 | 240.7 | 221.9 | 221.8 | |
| Deutsche Telekom | 71 | 74.7 | 78.7 | 81.5 | 85.2 | 89 | 94.1 | 98.1 | 101.9 | 104.7 | 110.4 | 114.7 | 116.6 | 118.8 | 121.6 | 123.2 | 127.5 | 131.7 | 148.9 | 160 | 168 | 171 | 173.3 | 177.8 | 178.3 | 179.2 | 172.7 | 179.1 | |
| Competitors | 51.6 | 53.3 | 53.7 | 51.5 | 50.6 | 50.8 | 49.7 | 49.8 | 51.8 | 54.9 | 55.5 | 54.5 | 54.1 | 54.2 | 53.6 | 53.7 | 56.7 | 56.4 | 55.7 | 54.7 | 56.1 | 54.3 | 57.3 | 53.7 | 62.4 | 61.5 | 49.2 | 42.7 |
Latest reading
The series on this page is annual and runs from 1998 to 2025. Source: Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).
About this data
Germany telecommunications market statistics on fixed broadband, mobile networks and voice telephony. Published annually by the Bundesnetzagentur, the data includes active broadband lines by access technology, from DSL and hybrid fibre coaxial to FttB and FttH. The table also tracks active SIM profiles, machine-to-machine connections, 5G base stations, mobile data traffic and call minutes. Available since 1998, the figures detail market revenue, industry employment and infrastructure investment, split between Deutsche Telekom and competitors.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the latest figure for Germany telecommunications market?
- Total telecommunications market stood at 59.6 EUR billion in 2025. That is −2.8% from 2024.
- Is Germany telecommunications market at a high or a low right now?
- The reading of 59.6 EUR billion is the lowest since 2022.
- How far back does the Germany telecommunications market data go?
- The series on this page is annual and runs from 1998 to 2025. Source: Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). Every series in the table can be charted over its full history and downloaded as CSV or Excel.
- What does the Germany telecommunications market data cover?
- The data covers the German telecommunications market across fixed broadband, mobile communications and fixed voice telephony. It includes active lines, SIM profiles, data traffic, call minutes, market revenue and infrastructure investment.
- Who publishes the German telecommunications market statistics?
- The Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) publishes the German telecommunications market statistics. The data is updated on an annual basis and tracks the industry's development since 1998.
- How are German fixed broadband lines broken down?
- The German fixed broadband market is detailed by access technology, including DSL, hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) and fixed wireless via LTE or 5G. It also measures fibre to the building (FttB) and fibre to the home (FttH) lines, separating homes passed from those connected.
- Does the telecommunications data separate Deutsche Telekom from competitors?
- Yes, the Germany telecommunications market figures separate Deutsche Telekom from its competitors across several metrics. This includes fixed broadband lines, market revenue and active SIM profiles managed by service providers and mobile virtual network operators.