Dead spots in Germany: Mobile phone measurements reveal large gaps!

Dead spots in Germany: Mobile phone measurements reveal large gaps!

In the first nationwide mobile phone measurement week, which took place from May 26th to June 1st, 2025, the challenges of network coverage in Germany were comprehensively examined. Over 150,000 participants from all parts of the country recorded more than 145 million valid measurement points, which were subsequently forwarded to the Federal Network Agency. It is becoming increasingly easier for most citizens to surf the Internet quickly, because 98 percent of the measuring points recorded are in 4G or 5G networks, as Welt reports.

But it's not all just joy, because the results show clear regional differences. There are larger supply gaps in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate in particular: here the proportion without an available network is 1.12 percent each. Across Germany it is 0.76 percent, which means that real dead spots were found in less than one percent. These measurements provide network operators with important information to check their supply data and uncover local differences, as Winfuture adds.

The pitfalls of 2G coverage

A particularly striking result of the week of measurements was the significant proportion of 2G networks in some regions. It was found that 1.27 percent of the measurements are only available with a 2G network, with the highest value recorded in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at 2.25 percent. 2G is still clearly noticeable in the districts of Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, Harz and Salzlandkreis. The situation is particularly dramatic in the Harz, where no network was available at all at 2.4 percent of the measuring points and only 2G was available at 3.4 percent, as can be seen from the data collected.

The Federal Ministry for Digital considers the results of the measurement week a success and, in addition to expanding the concept, is also planning detailed regional evaluations for districts and municipalities, which are to be published in mid-June. These measurements could help ensure that progress can finally be made in less served areas and that the digital balance can be better established in Germany.

The future of mobile communications

The results of the mobile communications measurement week impressively illustrate how important network expansion is for the future of the digital infrastructure in Germany. With 4G availability from at least one network operator at 97.53 percent and 5G availability in more than 93.85 percent of the area, Germany is on the right track, but there is still a lot to do. The “grey spots”, i.e. areas with only one network operator, make up almost 14 percent of the entire federal area. Targeted efforts are needed to ensure that all citizens have equal access to modern technologies.