In 2022, the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate launched the mobile communications pact together with the mobile communications companies in Germany. The goal remains clear: to further improve network coverage in the state. The results two years later show clear successes: over 4,500 measures, including more than 760 new masts and extensions, have already been implemented. More are to be added by the end of the year. Mobile coverage in Rhineland-Palatinate has improved noticeably in recent years. The expansion of the latest generation of mobile communications, 5G, is developing particularly dynamically. “The positive coverage figures prove that our mobile communications pact is successful and continues to have an impact. The agreed measures have led to noticeable improvements for people in the country. Based on the results of our measurement activities this year, we will continue to work on optimizing network quality and the user experience for citizens,” explained Digitalization Minister Dörte Schall at the Mobile Communications Round Table.
Mobile communications coverage in Rhineland-Palatinate has improved significantly in recent years. In particular, the expansion of the latest and most powerful mobile technology is progressing dynamically: 97.5% of households and 91.6% of the area are already covered by 5G. According to the latest mobile communications monitoring, Rhineland-Palatinate covers 99.2% of households and 97% of the area with 4G/LTE. Mobile voice services even reach 99.8% of households and 99.5% of the state’s area.
The mobile communications pact for Rhineland-Palatinate, which expires at the end of 2024, contains clear agreements between the state and network operators to close existing coverage gaps and bring high-performance mobile communications to rural areas. The agreement includes measures such as the construction and upgrading of mobile phone masts, monitoring of expansion progress, simplifications in state building law and close cooperation between the parties involved.
“Together with the network operators, we have set ourselves ambitious goals in the mobile communications pact – not all of which have been achieved. We will continue to work together to shape the way forward for more and better mobile communications in the country and also focus even more strongly on people’s user experience,” explained the Minister, announcing a new edition of the mobile communications pact.
In May 2024, the state government invited citizens to take part in the first nationwide mobile communications measurement week. Over 2,800 participants provided almost 1.6 million measurement points with the help of the Federal Network Agency’s “Funkloch” app. As part of a second wave of measurements, a professional measurement vehicle collected detailed data on network coverage over a distance of around 2,000 kilometers. In addition, the Federal Network Agency’s measurement service carried out targeted focus measurements.
As part of the Mobile Communications Round Table, Digitalization Minister Dörte Schall has now presented the final report on the nationwide measurement activities. The report contains the results of the first mobile communications measurement week in May 2024 as well as findings from the professional measurement trips in the fall of 2024, which were carried out in selected focus areas.
“The measurements have shown that mobile broadband coverage is widely available in the survey areas. On a positive note, 5G has also arrived in rural areas. Nevertheless, we were able to identify gaps in coverage – even in areas where coverage should actually exist. However, there are already signs of movement here too, and the network operators are promising improvements,” says Eike Gutt, Deputy Team Leader Mobile Communications.
“We want to remain in dialog with citizens about mobile communications. There is no need to wait for the next measurement week. Our ‘mobile communications toolbox’ contains a new tool, the dead spot detector, which citizens can use to conveniently report dead spots by selecting a map or entering data,” said the Minister.
The combination of citizen participation and professional measurements is unique to date and was carried out for the first time in this form. Using various indicators on network quality and user experience, the focus measurement method enables a realistic assessment of mobile coverage that goes beyond traditional monitoring. “We are thus setting standards that could already serve as a model for future activities at federal and state level.”
aconium GmbH carried out surveys of the road network in Rhineland-Palatinate on behalf of the Mobile Communications Clearing House of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Digitalization in order to analyse mobile communications coverage. Between August and September 2024, around 2,000 kilometers of road were covered with specially equipped measuring vehicles. The survey areas were specifically selected to check for indications of a possible lack of coverage.
Since August 2023, aconium GmbH has been supporting the implementation and further development of the Rhineland-Palatinate mobile communications clearing house. Its main tasks include preparing mobile communications data for geoinformation systems, monitoring the mobile communications pact and accelerating the realization of new sites.
The range of services also includes conflict resolution and moderation measures for mobile radio sites as well as the creation of information and communication material within the mobile radio toolbox. This includes, for example, educational films, the introduction of a site notifier and other material. In addition, aconium provides support on economic, technical, legal and regulatory issues relating to mobile communications.