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Cable, DSL, fiber or homespot: what to order
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Janine El Saghir is an editor at How-to-Germany.com, where she specializes in the practical aspects of daily life and integration for expatriates. With years of...
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Erkan Boga is the founder and CEO of qmedia GmbH, the publishing house behind How-to-Germany.com. He established the platform with the clear vision of creating...
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Sadie Voss is the Lead Editor for How-to-Germany.com. As an expat who carved her own way into Berlin from the United States, Sadie is deeply...
Compare Internet Providers in Germany
€19.99 for the first 12 months, then €34.99
€0 for the first 6 months, then €34.99
€0 for the first 6 months, then €34.99
€19.99 for the first 9 months, then €34.99
€24.99 for the first 12 months, then €39.99
€24.99 for the first 12 months, then €39.99
€24.99 for the first 12 months, then €39.99
€0 for the first 6 months, then €44.99
€0 for the first 6 months, then €44.99
€0 for the first 6 months, then €44.99
€0 for the first 6 months, then €44.99
€19.99 for the first 9 months, then €44.99
€29.99 for the first 12 months, then €44.99
€29.99 for the first 12 months, then €44.99
€29.99 for the first 12 months, then €44.99
€9.95 for the first 3 months, then €39.95
€0 for the first 6 months, then €49.99
€0 for the first 6 months, then €49.99
€19.99 for the first 9 months, then €49.99
€9.95 for the first 3 months, then €44.95
€19.95 for the first 3 months, then €47.95
€9.95 for the first 3 months, then €49.95
€39.99 for the first 12 months, then €54.99
€19.99 for the first 9 months, then €64.99
€19.95 for the first 3 months, then €52.95
€44.99 for the first 12 months, then €59.99
€44.99 for the first 12 months, then €59.99
€19.99 for the first 9 months, then €69.99
€9.95 for the first 3 months, then €56.95
€19.95 for the first 3 months, then €62.95
€54.99 for the first 12 months, then €69.99
€19.95 for the first 3 months, then €72.95
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
Vodafone, Telekom and O2 cover almost every address in Germany between them. Each card leads straight to the provider’s address check, which is the first step of every order.
- DSL, cable and fiber are the three ways of getting a fixed home internet connection in Germany. What you can order depends on the lines installed in your building — run the address check on the provider’s website before you compare plans.
- Vodafone delivers the fastest widely available connections over its TV-cable network. Telekom has the widest DSL coverage, including rural areas. O2 and 1&1 sell DSL, cable and fiber plans on the same lines, often at lower monthly prices.
- An internet contract may run for 24 months at most, and every provider must also offer you a version with a term of no more than 12 months. Once the initial term is over, you can cancel with one month’s notice. If you move to an address the provider cannot serve, you can cancel with one month’s notice as well.
- Need Wi-Fi on the day you arrive? An LTE or 5G homespot works from any power socket and can be cancelled monthly — no technician, no waiting for a line.
Types of internet connections in Germany
To get connected to the internet in Germany, you can choose between:
- DSL
- TV cable
- Fiber optic
- Mobile (LTE/5G homespot)
- Satellite
Before choosing a connection type, find out what is available at your home or apartment. DSL and cable are still the most widely available lines, while fiber is being rolled out street by street. Fiber availability at the front door does not mean the line is already active in your flat, so always run an address check before choosing a fiber plan. If no fixed line is available, mobile and satellite are your options.
DSL
DSL is the most common type of internet connection in German apartments, running through the local telephone line. It offers download speeds of up to 250 Mbit/s and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbit/s. However, the exact speed largely depends on the condition and length of your local telephone line. While almost every line can handle 16 Mbit/s, only some lines achieve 200 Mbit/s or more.
One of the main advantages of the DSL internet connection is its stability. The internet speed does not vary with the number of users.
TV cable
Cable connections use television cable lines to provide internet access. They offer download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbit/s. Upload speeds are much lower than on fiber connections — cable plans typically top out well below 100 Mbit/s upload, while upload speeds of 200 Mbit/s or more are reserved for fiber-to-the-home connections. Because cable users share the line with neighbours, internet speed can drop when many people are online at the same time.
One important thing to note with TV cable connections is that the choice of providers is limited. You can only select the provider that operates the line in your building. Usually, your landlord can tell you who that is.
Since 1 July 2024, landlords may no longer bill the monthly fees for a TV or broadband connection through the Nebenkosten (service charges), a change the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) describes as the end of the “Nebenkostenprivileg”. For renting expats, this means you are no longer forced to pay for a bundled cable TV connection through rent and can choose separate TV and internet contracts. Only the running costs of shared building equipment may still appear in the service charges.
Fiber optic
If speed is your top priority, consider a fast internet connection through fiber optic cable. Considered a future technology, fiber connections transmit information through light signals, making them faster and less prone to disruption than DSL or cable. They can offer internet speeds of up to 1,000 Mbit/s for download and 500 Mbit/s for upload, with the potential for even higher speeds.
Fiber optic connections have particularly low latencies, meaning fewer delays in video streaming or online gaming. This makes them the best internet connection for heavy internet users.
Mobile: LTE and 5G homespots
Mobile home internet uses a router with a SIM card instead of a fixed line. You plug the router into a power socket, and it connects to the LTE or 5G network. The providers sell these plans as “homespots” — Vodafone GigaCube, Telekom Speedbox, O2 HomeSpot, congstar Homespot — with monthly cancellable options and, at O2, unlimited data. Speed depends on the mobile signal at your address and on how busy the local cell is, so it is not a full replacement for a good fixed line. For the weeks between moving in and the technician appointment, or for a stay of a few months, it is often the fastest way online. Our separate guide covers homespots in Germany in detail.
Satellite
Lastly, satellite internet connections are a niche solution primarily used in remote locations without a fixed line or mobile signal. They come with higher hardware costs, higher latency and often limit the data volume.
Nonetheless, in certain scenarios, they could be the only connection type available.
Which socket is in your apartment?
Before ordering home internet, check which sockets are already installed in your apartment. Providers check availability by address, but the socket tells you quickly whether DSL, cable or fiber is realistic.
- Cable socket: a round TV/radio-style wall outlet — used for cable internet, usually Vodafone or a regional cable network.
- DSL TAE socket: the small telephone wall socket with vertical plug openings — used for DSL.
- Fiber optic box: a newer small wall box labelled with fiber or optical connection details — used for fiber where available.
- No visible socket: ask the landlord, the previous tenant or the building management which provider was used before.
| Socket or connection clue | Likely internet type | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Cable TV/radio socket | Cable internet | Check cable availability at your address and ask whether the building already has an active connection. |
| TAE telephone socket | DSL internet | Check DSL availability and keep the socket accessible for the technician. |
| Fiber optic wall box | Fiber internet | Check which provider installed the line and whether the apartment connection is active. |
| No clear socket | Unclear | Ask your landlord or the previous tenant before ordering — the provider may need a technician visit. |
Important to know about an internet contract in Germany
Before choosing an internet plan and concluding a contract, consider the internet speed you need, the contract term, potential price increases, router costs and any one-time activation fees charged by the provider. Since December 2021, the German Telecommunications Act (TKG) sets clear rules for all of these — they apply to every provider and every plan sold to consumers.
Internet speed
The most important factor when choosing an internet contract is the appropriate download speed.
- If you only need the internet connection for basic tasks such as emailing, watching YouTube videos, and occasional Netflix streaming, then 25 megabits per second (Mbit/s) should suffice.
- If you work from home or share your house with others who do the same, you might require higher speeds, ranging from 50–100 Mbit/s to 200 Mbit/s.
- For those who do lots of video streaming and online gaming, a cable or fiber optic plan with the fastest download speed available, 1,000 Mbit/s, is advisable.
Keep in mind that the actual internet speed you get will always be slightly slower than advertised. The contract summary lists a minimum, a normally available and an estimated maximum speed. If the line stays far below the promised speed, you are not stuck: under § 57 TKG you can reduce the monthly fee in proportion to the shortfall or cancel without notice — provided you document the shortfall with the Federal Network Agency’s official measurement tool at breitbandmessung.de and send the measurement report to your provider.
Minimum contract term
It’s common for German internet providers to offer home internet plans on 2-year contracts. That is also the legal maximum: § 56 TKG caps the initial term at 24 months, and every provider must offer you an alternative with a term of no more than 12 months before you sign. After the initial term, the contract continues month by month, and you can terminate it at any time with one month’s notice.
If you’re only staying in Germany for a short period, such as students studying for a semester, providers like Telekom, 1&1, and O2 offer flexible internet plans that you can cancel monthly. A monthly cancellable homespot is the other option for short stays.
If you move abroad or move to a new address in Germany where your current internet provider cannot deliver the contractually agreed service, you have a special termination right under § 60 (2) TKG: you can cancel the contract with a notice period of one month, effective on the day you move out or later. If the provider can serve the new address, it must continue the contract there without changing the term — it may charge a moving fee, but no more than the fee for a new connection. This is especially important for expats who are worried about signing a 24-month contract before leaving Germany.
Price increases
Some internet providers in Germany may adjust their prices after the first months of a contract. Look at the full contract price, not just the special offer for the first few months. A different case is a price change the provider imposes during the term: if a provider changes the contract unilaterally through its terms and conditions, § 57 TKG gives you the right to cancel free of charge and without notice within three months of being informed, unless the change is purely to your advantage or required by law.
Connection fees
Some providers also charge a one-time connection or activation fee when setting up a new internet contract. The fee varies by provider and tariff and is listed in the contract summary the provider must give you before you sign — add it to the monthly price when comparing offers.
Router costs
Most internet providers offer routers for rent for a small monthly fee. If you have your own compatible router, you can save these costs.
Plus, if you frequently struggle with wireless internet reception, a decent router of your own is often more cost-effective than the cheapest rental model included in the contract.
Outages and missed appointments
Report any fault to your provider first. If the provider cannot fix it within two calendar days after your report, the TKG entitles you to compensation: 5 euros a day or 10 percent of the monthly fee (whichever is higher) for the third and fourth day, and 10 euros or 20 percent from the fifth day onwards. The same 10 euros or 20 percent apply for each technician appointment the provider misses.
Internet on day one: LTE and 5G homespots
A fixed line takes time: the technician appointment, the router delivery, the activation date. If you arrive in Germany and need a working Wi-Fi network before any of that happens, a homespot bridges the gap. The router is delivered by post or picked up in a shop, the SIM card is already activated, and the connection is up within minutes of plugging it in. Monthly cancellable plans let you switch to a fixed line later without paying twice.
These homespot plans are monthly cancellable and run on the Telekom network (congstar) and the O2 network:
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
Coverage matters more than the tariff name here: check the LTE and 5G availability at your exact address on the provider’s coverage map before ordering. The full comparison of homespots, data caps and hardware is in our guide to LTE and 5G homespots in Germany.
Best internet providers in Germany
The vast majority of Germans get their internet from one of the four major providers:
- Vodafone
- Telekom
- O2
- 1&1
These four big internet providers offer reasonably priced plans considering the internet speed and coverage of their networks, making them competitive with regional providers.
They also offer discounts if you add TV, landline, or mobile plans with your internet contract, if you’re under 28 years old, or if you switch from another internet provider. They all have physical stores, so you don’t have to wait on the customer hotline if you have a question.
| Provider | Main technology | English support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | TV cable (GigaZuhause Kabel), plus DSL and fiber; GigaCube homespot | Mostly German; broad hotline and shop network | Cable internet, high download speeds, and TV/internet bundles |
| Telekom | DSL (MagentaZuhause) and fiber; Speedbox homespot | Mostly German; strong shop network and service infrastructure | DSL coverage, reliability, rural addresses, and full-service support |
| O2 | DSL, cable, fiber or LTE/5G home internet, depending on availability | More expat-friendly than many providers, including an active English-speaking community | Flexible contracts, mobile bundles, unlimited homespot data |
| 1&1 | DSL and fiber, with and without minimum term | Mostly German; English support depends on the agent | Price-conscious users who want DSL alternatives to Telekom |
| Source: the providers’ tariff pages and our own product database, retrieved on 24 September 2026. Current prices and speeds are in the comparison cards above. | |||
Vodafone
Vodafone is one of the two largest internet providers in Germany and offers the fastest widely available connection — internet via TV cable. Unlike Telekom, Vodafone relies mostly on the cable network it operates itself. Here are some key facts about Vodafone’s internet service:
- Vodafone’s cable network reaches a large share of German households, especially in cities and apartment buildings.
- The GigaZuhause Kabel plans go up to 1,000 Mbit/s download; upload speeds are lower than on fiber.
- Cable performance can vary in buildings where many neighbours share the same cable segment.
If you have a Vodafone cable socket in your flat, you have a good chance of getting a fast connection quickly, either with Vodafone or with one of the providers using its cable network. Vodafone runs promotional prices for the first months of a contract, so always check the final monthly price after the promotional period before ordering. Vodafone also sells the GigaCube, an LTE/5G router for homes without a fixed line.
Telekom
Telekom is the biggest internet provider in Germany and offers the widest DSL coverage. The company emerged from Deutsche Telekom, the former state operator of the telephone network, and still owns most of the copper lines DSL runs on — which is why it has the best DSL availability, especially in rural areas.
Telekom’s DSL plans are branded MagentaZuhause (S, M, L, XL) and its fiber plans MagentaZuhause Glasfaser. Telekom is usually a bit more expensive than other providers, but its coverage and shop network make it a reliable choice for anyone living outside the major cities.
O2
O2 sells home internet over DSL, cable, fiber and — as O2 HomeSpot — over its own LTE/5G network. The homespot plans come with unlimited data and are available without a minimum term. As with all providers, check your address first because O2 can offer DSL, cable, fiber or mobile-based home internet depending on availability.
1&1
1&1 offers DSL and fiber plans, both with a 24-month term and as “Flex” versions without a minimum term. Current promotions may temporarily reduce the monthly price at the beginning of the contract, while the regular monthly price is typically higher after the promotional period.
Cheapest internet plans in Germany
The cheapest internet plan is rarely the one with the lowest headline price. Three things decide what you pay over the contract:
- The regular price after the promotion. Providers discount the first months heavily; over 24 months the regular price dominates.
- One-time fees. Activation fees and router shipping are listed in the contract summary and add up over a short stay.
- The term. A monthly cancellable plan costs a little more per month, but it saves you the remaining months if you leave Germany early — and under § 56 TKG every provider must offer one.
The comparison cards above show the current entry plans of Vodafone, Telekom and O2 with the price after the promotional period. Entry-level DSL and cable plans of 50 Mbit/s are usually the cheapest fixed lines; O2 and 1&1 typically undercut the two network owners on the same lines.
How to get an internet connection in Germany?
If you’re renting, you might be able to take over the previous tenant’s contract. However, if you’ve bought your own house, you’ll likely need to set up a new connection, which can take a couple of weeks for your router to be delivered and a technician to activate your line.
Enter your address on any major internet provider website (Telekom, Vodafone, 1&1, O2) to see what options are available for your house/apartment. Then, choose a suitable internet plan and conclude the contract on their website. A typical German checkout asks you to run an address check, select the technology and speed, choose whether to rent or use your own router, enter your personal details, select an installation or activation date, and confirm the monthly price after the promotional period. Before you confirm, the provider must show you a contract summary (Vertragszusammenfassung) with the term, the speeds and the cancellation rules — keep the PDF.
Before ordering internet in Germany, prepare your full German address, your name as written on your ID, your date of birth, your email address, your phone number, and your IBAN for direct debit. Some providers may also ask for your previous provider details if you are switching, your previous landline number if you want to keep it, or proof that you live at the address. If you do not yet have a German IBAN, check whether the provider accepts SEPA IBANs from another EU country.
How to terminate an internet contract?
After the end of the initial contract term, you can provide a one-month notice for termination.
Every provider that sells contracts on its website must also offer a cancellation button (Kündigungsbutton) there — § 312k BGB requires it — and confirm your cancellation immediately in text form. If you cancel online, keep the confirmation with date and time. If a provider offers no such button, the law lets you cancel at any time without notice.
If you are leaving Germany or moving to an address where your provider cannot supply the agreed internet service, contact your provider before the move and ask about special termination. Under § 60 (2) TKG, the notice period is one month. You will usually need to provide proof of the move, such as deregistration, a new address, or other documentation requested by the provider.
Internet providers in Germany may run identity or creditworthiness checks before activating a contract, especially for 24-month postpaid contracts. If you have no German credit history yet, check whether the provider offers prepaid, monthly cancellable, mobile home internet, or in-store alternatives. Do not rely only on the headline monthly price if you are new to Germany and still setting up your bank account, Anmeldung, and credit profile. How the SCHUFA check works for phone and internet contracts, and what to do if you are rejected, is explained in our guide to SCHUFA and telecom contracts.
How to change internet provider?
Switching from one internet provider to another can be done easily online through the new provider’s form on their website. The new internet provider will terminate your previous contract and, under § 59 TKG, leads the switch: your old provider must keep you connected until the new line is active, and the interruption may not last longer than one working day. For every additional working day without service, you can claim 10 euros or 20 percent of the monthly fee from the old provider, whichever is higher.
The technical change can still take a few weeks to schedule. To avoid ending up without internet during this transition period, give the new internet provider notice at least 1–2 months in advance. If you also want to keep your landline number, order the number transfer with the new provider at the same time — it is free by law.
Conclusion
Securing the right internet connection in Germany involves understanding the different types of connections, considering key aspects of an internet contract, and choosing the internet provider that best suits your needs and budget.
For expats and renters, the most important details are availability at your exact address, the full price after the promotional period, whether support is available in English, and whether you may need to terminate early when moving. The Telecommunications Act protects you on all of these points: a term of no more than 24 months, a 12-month alternative on offer, one month’s notice after the initial term, and a special termination right when you move somewhere the provider cannot serve. For the first weeks, a monthly cancellable homespot keeps you online while the fixed line is being installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fixed lines come as DSL over the telephone line, internet over the TV cable, or fiber to the home. Where no fixed line is available — or not yet — an LTE/5G homespot router with a SIM card provides home Wi-Fi from any power socket, and satellite remains the fallback in remote places. Which of these you can order depends on the lines in your building, so every provider starts with an address check.
Vodafone, Telekom, O2 and 1&1 serve most households. Vodafone operates the TV-cable network and sells the fastest widely available cable plans; Telekom owns most telephone lines and has the widest DSL coverage, including rural areas; O2 and 1&1 sell DSL, cable and fiber on the same lines, often at lower prices, and O2 also offers home internet over its own LTE/5G network. Regional fiber and cable operators cover individual cities and districts.
No longer than 24 months for the initial term — § 56 of the Telecommunications Act (TKG) caps it there and obliges every provider to offer you an alternative with a term of at most 12 months before you sign. After the initial term the contract continues, but you can cancel it at any time with one month’s notice. Many providers also sell monthly cancellable plans from the start.
Yes. If you move to an address your provider cannot serve — abroad or within Germany — § 60 (2) TKG gives you a special termination right with a notice period of one month, effective on the day you move out or later. Inform the provider before the move and be prepared to show proof, such as your deregistration (Abmeldung) or the new address. If the provider can serve the new address, the contract simply continues there.
Postpaid contracts usually involve a creditworthiness check, and a missing German credit history can lead to a rejection. Prepaid homespot options such as Aldi Talk’s router plans need no contract at all, and monthly cancellable homespots or fixed-line plans reduce the risk for the provider. Our guide to SCHUFA and telecom contracts explains what is checked and what to do after a rejection.
A homespot is the fastest route: the router arrives by post or from a shop with an activated SIM card, and the connection is up minutes after plugging it in. A fixed line needs a router delivery and often a technician appointment, which can take a couple of weeks. If you switch providers, the new provider leads the change and the interruption may not exceed one working day (§ 59 TKG).
Measure it with the Federal Network Agency’s official tool at breitbandmessung.de following its measurement rules, then send the measurement report to your provider. If the speed deviates significantly and repeatedly from the contract, § 57 TKG lets you reduce the monthly fee in proportion to the shortfall or cancel the contract without notice.