The first state-wide mobile communications measurement week in Rhineland-Palatinate shows that coverage with 4G and 5G mobile communications is very high in the state. However, it also shows that there are still deficits in some areas. For example, in some areas there is no network or only mobile voice (2G) is available. This initial evaluation is based on data collected with the help of the German Federal Network Agency’s “Funkloch” app. The areas with low network availability will be checked by the Federal Network Agency and aconium GmbH using professional measurement technology in order to further improve the data situation. The analysis is being carried out as part of the Mobile Communications Clearing House of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Digitalization.
“Mobile coverage in Rhineland-Palatinate is already very good thanks to the great commitment of the expanding companies, but it can still be improved. The first mobile communications measurement week provided us with valuable insights from the user’s perspective. We will evaluate the data from this “grassroots measurement”, identify further priority areas and discuss the results with the mobile network operators. Our common goal is to further improve nationwide mobile coverage in the country,” explained Digitalization Minister Alexander Schweitzer.
“I am delighted that so many people took part in the measurement week. We will now evaluate the data together and discuss in which regions we will carry out priority measurements on mobile coverage with our testing and measurement service over the coming months,” said Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency.
“We will now use state-of-the-art mobile radio scanners to determine the signal levels of all mobile radio technologies, download and upload speeds, ping values and the frequency bands used as part of measurement trips in selected focus areas in order to obtain an accurate picture of the actual coverage on site. According to Andreas Schröder, Head of Mobile Communications at aconium GmbH, the results should then help to work even more specifically on seamless and efficient mobile communications coverage.
More than 2,800 people took part in the survey and provided almost 1.6 million valid measurement points. Over 95% of these measurement points showed coverage with 4G or 5G mobile communications. The proportion of measured 5G coverage has increased compared to the same period last year. However, only 2G coverage was detected at 3.2% of the measuring points and no network was available at around 1.7% of the measuring points.
The areas with low network availability will be visited by the Federal Network Agency and us over the next few months in order to check and validate the existing data. The measurement vehicles equipped with modern mobile radio scanners will determine an exact picture of mobile radio coverage so that all underserved areas can be developed in the future.
We have been advising the Rhineland-Palatinate Mobile Communications Clearing House since 2023 and provide support in all matters relating to mobile communications.
The results of the measurement week and the measurement runs will be evaluated as part of the Mobile Communications Round Table with the mobile network operators. The Federal Network Agency will also evaluate the data obtained and use it in its discussions with the mobile network operators.
Parallel to the mobile phone measurement week in Rhineland-Palatinate, a measurement week was also held in North Rhine-Westphalia. Due to the positive experiences in both federal states, the federal government is planning to hold a nationwide campaign week.