Mobile operators in Germany expand the UMTS and HSPA coverage in their mobile networks. Vodafone now enables mobile internet users to receive data packages via HSPA with up to 14.4 mbps while the maximum upload speed has risen to 3 mbps. Such data transfer speeds are only possible at selected hotspots such as train stations or airports. Vodafone has also extended the number of German cities with HSPA coverage with up to 7.2 mbps. In the entire UMTS network of Vodafone data transfer speeds now reach up to 3.6 mbps respectively 1.45 mbps. Vodafone is the first mobile operator in Germany to offer data transfer speeds higher than 7.2 mbps at highly frequented places.

A few weeks ago, T-Mobile has also announced to start raising data transfer speeds for mobile internet users from 7.2 mbps up to 14.4 mbps this year. Like in the case of Vodafone, the upgrading will be carried out first at airports and train stations. o2 Germany will even provide maximum download speeds of 28.8 mbps this year. At the moment, customers of o2 Germany can mostly use mobile data services with up to 3.6 mbps download speed, at some selected places o2 Germany also offers up to 7.2 mbps download speed.

E-Plus has been the only German mobile network operator just offering GPRS, EDGE and UMTS with up to 384 kbps so far. However, E-Plus is now beginning to launch HSDPA in selected cities such as Berlin, Essen, Dusseldorf, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Nuremberg and Stuttgart in order to improve UMTS network coverage rather than offering higher download speeds.

All Four Operators Offer EDGE in Their GSM Networks

In areas without UMTS network coverage German operators often provide EDGE in addition to GPRS. T-Mobile offers EDGE with downloads speeds of up to 260 kbps in the entire GSM network. Vodafone, E-Plus and o2 Germany provide up to 220 kbps. While Vodafone offers EDGE in large parts of its GSM network, o2 Germany concentrates on EDGE as an alternative solution in areas without UMTS coverage in the o2 network. E-Plus intends to offers EDGE for 90 percent of the German population by the end of this year. In comparison: GPRS reaches up to 53,6 kbps respectively 26,8 kbps.

Related Links:
Prepaid Price Plans for Mobile Internet Access
Mobile Access to Broadband Internet in Germany