FAQ about internet in Germany & the CHECK24 comparison

There are four ways to get internet for your home in Germany:

1. Fiber optic: it's the most advanced transmission technology, allowing you to effortlessly achieve speeds of 2,000 Mbps and more.
2. DSL (VDSL): the most popular choice in Germany. It's available at nearly every household and offers speeds up to 250 Mbps.
3. Cable: cable internet is accessed via the TV cable network and offers affordable options with top speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.
4. Mobile internet (LTE/5G): with LTE and 5G, you enjoy high-speed internet through the mobile network at home or on the go. 

Not every connection type is available at every address. If you're unsure what types are available at your home, you can find out with the CHECK24 internet comparison. Just enter your address and we will list all available tariffs. You can then filter by connection type. 

If you're having a hard time choosing between the connection types, here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of each: 

Germany has a lot of internet providers. 

• There are some big providers that are available in most of Germany – like: Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O2 and 1&1.
• Then there are some smaller internet providers that focus on smaller parts of the country. Examples include: Easybell, Congstar and Deutsche Glasfaser. 
• Lastly, there are regional providers that offer their tariffs in certain regions only. For example Mnet, Ewe, Netcologne and Swb. 

The best internet provider depends on your own needs or preferences.

If you want to know what other people are thinking of the providers, you can check reviews from our customers here. Each provider gets a star-ranking based on these reviews.

Out of the big providers, Telekom has the best ranking – with 4,1 out of 5 stars.

Yes, you can pick any of the providers that are available at your address. 

For cable tariffs, there is often only one choice. In this case, you can either go with that provider or just chose a different connection type with different provider options. 

The maximum speed of your internet connection depends on the type of connection. These are the maximum speeds that the common connection types can reach: 

• DSL: up to 250 Mbps 
• Cable: up to 1,000 Mbps
• Fiber: up to 2,000 Mbps and more

Depending on your specific address, the maximum speed may differ. In the result list, you will see the maximum speed of each tariff at your home. 

The bandwidth you should choose depends on these factors: 

1. Your usage patterns
2. The amount of people in your household
3. The maximum speed available at your location

If you mainly surf the web, write emails, shop online, read the news or book holidays, 50 Mbps are more than enough.

If you are an online gamer or regularly stream series and movies, you should opt for a faster connection of 100 Mbps or more.

Also remember: the more people who use the internet in one household, the higher the bandwidth should to be. 

The fact that fast internet is not available everywhere is related to the network roll-out in Germany. Not all the networks are developed to the extent that fast internet can be offered to all consumers.

However, the good news is that bandwidths of at least 50 Mbps are available to almost all households in Germany. With even lower speeds there is even nationwide availability.

When picking a router, it is most important to check for compatibility with your connection type. There are specific routers for cable, DSL, fiber and mobile internet. 

You should also make sure that your router supports the internet speed that your tariff can reach. 

To make things really easy, internet providers offer routers with each tariff. That way, you can make sure that your router fits your contract. 

When you're picking a router, you can decide between buying and renting. There are several advantages and disadvantages to both: 

Renting a wifi router: 

• You get compatibility, support from the provider, easy installation and replacement if it breaks.
• You receive regular updates.
• The monthly cost is between €3 and €10. 

BUT: 

• In the long run, renting is more expensive.
• You face a limited choice and may be restricted in features.
• You have to return it at the end of the contract.
• There's a minimum contract period. 

Buying a wifi router:

• It's cheaper over time.
• You get full functionality. 

BUT:

• The initial cost is higher.
• You are responsible for installation and maintenance.

Yes, as of 1 August 2016, consumers can use their own hardware to connect to the internet. However, providers are not obliged to provide installation services or support for such hardware. 

Nevertheless, many providers offer suitable routers that customers can buy or rent for the duration of their contract when they order a new tariff. Providers will then offer support for these devices.

In Germany, you can generally switch your internet provider whenever you want, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Contract term: Most contracts have a minimum period, usually 24 months. You can switch when this period ends.
• Special circumstances: You can end your contract early under certain conditions. This includes moving to a place where your provider doesn't offer service or if you have ongoing service issues that they don't fix.
• Upgrading services: If you want to upgrade to a better service with the same provider, you can often do this without waiting for your contract to end.
• Flexible contracts: Some providers offer tariffs that you can cancel anytime, giving you more freedom.

In Germany, internet contracts often have a minimum duration of 24 months. At the end of this period, it's a good idea to switch providers. This way, you can benefit from special offers for new customers and save some cash.

Make sure to start the switch early. Aim for about four months before your current contract expires. This helps you avoid higher costs and ensures everything goes smoothly.

Switching providers is easy. In just three simple steps, you can switch to a new, cheaper internet provider.

1. Compare new rates early: We always recommend that our customers initiate a change of provider via CHECK24 around four months before the last possible termination date of their existing contract.
2. Cancellation by the provider: Once the request has been received by the new provider, they will cancel your existing internet contract and initiate number porting if requested. You will also receive the necessary hardware and login details from the new provider.
3. Timely activation: The new provider will activate your internet connection on the agreed date. Some cable providers can even activate connections earlier. Thanks to generous free month policies, you won't end up paying twice.