Germany's mobile phone prices are in the middle range of industrialized countries

German mobile phone prices are in the middle range compared to other large industrialized countries, and the conditions are particularly attractive for beginners. The tariff landscape is only cheaper in Italy and Spain. In contrast, the markets in Switzerland, the USA and Finland are the most expensive. In general, prices hardly differ in western high-tech countries. These are the results of a comparative study of mobile phone markets in twelve countries by the market research company Tarifica on behalf of the digital association Bitkom.

Germany competitive

The mobile phone prices were examined in Germany, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as outside Europe in Japan, South Korea and the USA.

“Germany no longer needs to hide in mobile communications. The prices are internationally competitive and even very cheap compared to Finland, Switzerland and the USA. The competition between national providers is fierce and in the entry-level segment as well as in the new 5G network there are attractive offers at low prices that outdo many other countries. People with a low budget in particular can find particularly inexpensive mobile phone offers in Germany.”

Bitkom President Achim Berg

Analysis of six typical usage profiles

For the cross-country price comparison, the study is based on six exemplary usage profiles that cover the entire spectrum of mobile communications - from tariffs for occasional surfers to social media users and streaming fans. The offers of all mobile phone providers in the respective countries were examined for each of these six usage profiles. Accordingly, mobile phone prices in Germany are cheaper for every type of use than in the USA, Switzerland and Finland.

Among EU countries, Germany is cheaper than Finland for all six usage profiles and cheaper than the Netherlands for two-thirds of the profiles.

Tariff profile S

In the entry-level range (tariff profile XS, at least 1 GB of data volume per month and 2 Mbit/s download speed), German operators have the lowest average costs of all countries examined; the lowest and highest prices are in the upper midfield. The cheapest tariff available costs just 5 euros per month; in Italy, such an offer is available from just 2.60 euros per month. In the USA, on the other hand, at least 17 euros per month are due. In tariff profile S (at least 3 GB of data volume per month and 2 Mbit/s download speed), Germany has the third cheapest average price and is in the middle for the cheapest (from 7 euros per month) and most expensive tariffs.

Tariff profile M

In tariff profile M (at least 10 GB of data volume per month and 2 Mbit/s download speed, from 10 euros per month) the overall price level is in the middle range. This also applies to the separately examined 5G options with maximum download speed for the tariff profiles S-5G (3 GB, maximum 5G speed, from 15.40 euros per month) and M-5G (10 GB, maximum 5G speed, from 20 euros per month).

Tariff profile L

In the L-5G tariff profile (at least 40 GB of data volume per month, maximum 5G speed, from 27 euros per month), the price difference between the cheapest and most expensive offer is particularly high, as many providers place such tariffs in the premium segment. In this best-performing tariff profile, Germany occupies a lower midfield position. The cheapest in this profile is Italy (from 10.40 euros per month), the most expensive is Switzerland (from 69.10 euros per month).

5G segment with a broad pricing strategy

In the mobile phone markets examined, there is a broad mobile phone pricing strategy for the latest 5G standard: depending on the country and operator, there are separate offers for 4G and 5G, 5G only as part of high-end tariffs, 5G in all tariffs and 5G with speed gradations. The German providers rely on different strategies. Across all competitors, 5G is offered not only in the high-end segment, but also in tariffs with lower data volumes.

“Germany has achieved a stable midfield position in 5G tariffs because, in contrast to Austria, there is a wide range of 5G tariffs from the entry-level to the premium segment. Mobile high-speed Internet is already available in this country at a low price. The current and most powerful mobile communications standard is also affordable for users with little budget.”

Bitkom President Achim Berg

The complete study “Mobile phone prices in industrialized nations – an inventory” is available for download .

More transparency, less bureaucracy: Accelerate mobile communications expansion

In order to further improve the quality and performance of mobile communications in Germany, Bitkom is committed to transparent and efficient administrative procedures and an easier location search when expanding the network. Expansion is currently stalling at more than 1,000 locations. The reasons are lengthy planning and approval procedures, a lack of local acceptance and a lack of construction capacity.

“Germany needs a major de-bureaucratization and acceleration package that will release the brakes on expansion. The federal government’s gigabit strategy is an important first step. Now it's about implementing the plans quickly and consistently and further specifying the goals."

Bitkom President Achim Berg

Bitkom is calling on the federal, state and local governments to pull together with the network operators. Construction and administrative law must be simplified comprehensively and nationwide. States and municipalities are responsible here, but the federal government should actively support the process.

“Numerous very specific proposals to simplify the approval procedures have been on the table for a long time. They must now finally be implemented at all federal levels.”

Bitkom President Achim Berg

Detailed suggestions for successful network expansion can be found in the Bitkom position paper for a “de-bureaucratization and expansion acceleration pact for the Gigabit Republic of Germany”.

More about the study design can be found here .

Source: BITKOM

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