The further expansion of mobile networks in Germany is progressing slowly. Although Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica (o2) and the newcomer 1&1 had promised improvements, dead spots remain, especially in rural areas. Penalties are therefore threatened from next year.

Dead spots: Cellular operators fail to reach destinations

The Federal Network Agency has forced the German network operators to meet minimum requirements for mobile phone coverage. According to the plan, 600 dead spots in Germany should be closed by the end of 2022. Internal documents now show that the Mobile operators lag far behind the plan. By August 2022, only a total of 89 of the white spots will have disappeared from the map.

It currently looks as if neither Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica (o2) nor 1&1 will meet the coverage requirements of the Federal Network Agency. According to reports, Klaus Müller, who has been President of the Federal Network Agency since March 2022, has the four network operators reminded in writing of the arrears. If the 600 white spots have not disappeared by the beginning of the coming year, penalties are threatened.

According to authority spokesman Michael Reifenberg, the newcomer 1&1 will also be held accountable. fines and penalties are, according to him, “examined and, if necessary, imposed”. 1&1 had already explained in September that it would probably not be able to meet the requirements.

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Deutsche Telekom: “Well on the way” with expansion

Telekom reports that expansion requirements have “always been met” in the past. Also with them current supply requirements of the Federal Network Agency one is “well on the way”. Telefónica states that they want to push ahead with the expansion “on a massive scale”. According to Vodafone, the expansion of its own infrastructure is being carried out “at great expense” (source: Handelsblatt).