New measurement concept for mobile communications monitoring
Year of issue 2025
Date of issue 2025.07.04
The Bundesnetzagentur is today introducing a uniform measurement method for monitoring mobile coverage in Germany. The Bundesnetzagentur is thus implementing a key element of the “measurement package” from the federal government’s Gigabit Strategy 2022 for the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation.
Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, Dr Karsten Wildberger, welcomed the publication of the measurement concept: "Our goal is to noticeably improve mobile coverage for people wherever they are in the country. The Bundesnetzagentur’s measurement concept creates a methodology basis to record network coverage from the user’s perspective. This information is essential for further improving the general conditions for network expansion. The federal ministry will provide the necessary resources for this concept."
"In future, we will be measuring the quality of mobile coverage from the user’s perspective. The measurements give us a more exact picture of how network expansion in Germany is progressing,"
said Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur. "Up to now we have only measured the strength of the radio signal. In future we will be recording the data rates and the reliability of voice telephony. Our new concept is also available to third parties and can become established as a standard method for measuring mobile coverage."
Methodology enables uniform measurements
Key to the new measurement concept is the use of eight smartphones using specialised software to carry out the measurements. The focus is placed on data relating to voice telephony and the available data rates. Four of the phones check the quality of voice telephony during measuring trips through defined areas. The other four measure the data rates available in the four mobile network operators’ networks. The measurement series is controlled and recorded via a cloud-based application.
Up to now, scanners have been used for measuring, which mainly recorded the strength of a local radio signal. The use of terminal equipment means that the actual possible data rates for users can be recorded.
The new measurement concept can also be used by third parties. Federal states, municipalities and service providers can use the measurement concept to commission their own measurements. They can then share the results with the Bundesnetzagentur and thus continuously add to the national database. In order to ensure comparability of measurement data, a minimum set of requirements has been defined.
At a later point in time it is planned to extend the system to include a backpack set-up. This will make it possible to carry out measurements in those areas that cannot be reached by monitoring vehicles. And even indoor measurements would then be possible. Ways of implementing measurements along waterways are also being considered.
The Bundesnetzagentur’s role
The Bundesnetzagentur collects and publishes data on mobile communications monitoring as part of its statutory mandate. Network operators are obliged to report to the Bundesnetzagentur on the expansion of their mobile communications networks. This new measurement method will allow the Bundesnetzagentur to check the information and determine any possible deviations. The Bundesnetzagentur is showing how it collects data through this open measurement concept. It is also fulfilling its task of monitoring mobile coverage from the user perspective.
The measurement concept and contact information at the Bundesnetzagentur are available at www.gigabitgrundbuch.bund.de/692504 (in German).