German 5G rollout was a big success – and a potential model for future 6G expansion
With more than 92% of the country covered by 5G, a leader in private custom networks, and billions invested in network densification and AI – Germany is well on track for 6G, though that expansion may not come until after 2030.
Germany has some of the strongest mobile networks and fastest speeds in Europe, though most of its Western European neighbors are not far behind. Network providers in Germany have already assigned 100% of the spectrum in the three bands of 5G (mid, low, and high) – all in just five years.
According to a report from consultancy firm BearingPoint, Germany’s expansion of mobile networks has been a resounding success story. The availability of 5G in Germany increased to over 90% within just a few years, one of the fastest ever rate of adoption of a new network generation.
The projected total investment in mobile network infrastructure in Germany from 2025 to 2030 amounts to approximately €37.7 billion. This includes both passive infrastructure (like towers, power supply, and site access) and active infrastructure (including antennas, radio modules, and software).
Investment is expected to remain relatively stable through 2029, with a significant increase in 2030 due to the anticipated 6G rollout and the new physical infrastructure it will require. With strong funding, Germany may continue to look to innovations like AI and robots to help in maintenance – in fact, the country has long been at the forefront of innovation in networks.
"Germany is the global leader in private 5G ‘campus’ networks, which are localized and customized networks designed to meet specific requirements” says Julius Hafer, partner at BearingPoint.
“With the market entry of 1&1 as the fourth network operator and the increasing use of Open RAN, new competitive dynamics are emerging. The coming years will be marked by complete coverage and preparation for the next generation of mobile communications.”
The report shows how annual mobile data consumption in Germany – much like in the rest of Europe – has skyrocketed over the past ten years. There has been a clear intensification of data usage across networks.
The reality is that a growing share of these SIM profiles are used by non-human endpoints, such as smart meters, connected vehicles, and industrial sensors. These all contribute to a more complex and data-intensive network environment.
The planned shift to 6G
The next step in mobile connection, 6G is expected to be adopted by countries including Germany, if they decide they do not want to just continue upgrading 5G installations. Though it would be a major upgrade in terms of speed and connectivity, it would require ‘densification’ – the addition of thousands of extra cells. That is because 6G cells would work at a higher frequency and have a shorter range.
6G technology in Germany is currently in the research and testing stage, and is not yet deployed commercially. Despite that, the government and industry have already launched some 6G initiatives and several universities are working on use cases and standards for 6G. Pilot projects and urban hotspots testing of 6G are not expected until around 2030.
Widespread upgrades to 6G would allow for higher data rates, lower latency, and greater energy efficiency than 5G. Some of the planned advances include new interfaces, and improved coding and modulation. There has also been some research into the possibility of integrating 6G into satellite, Wi-Fi, and non-terrestrial networks.
In the meantime, the German government and network providers are more likely to focus on maintaining and upgrading 5G installations. Whether 5G or 6G, the challenges and demands for network expansion ultimately remain the same.
“The next phase of network expansion will be shaped by regulatory requirements for area coverage, increasing cost pressure, and technological innovations,” says Marcel Tietjen, partner at BearingPoint.
“Coverage in rural areas and areas close to transport links, as well as indoor coverage, remain particularly challenging – factors that are crucial to the success of the next generation of mobile communications.”
