Phone Blocker and Signal Jammers in Germany

Bundesnetzagentur

The Bundesnetzagentur, or BNetzA for short, is the federal regulatory agency under the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, responsible for the regulation of infrastructure such as telecommunications, energy, railways, postal and electronic networks.

Responsible for managing and allocating radio spectrum to ensure fair competition in the telecommunications market. Spectrum management for mobile operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and O2 to ensure network coverage and quality. Mobile phone jammers can only be deployed in certain places (such as prisons) according to law and must be approved by BNetzA.

• Telekom Deutschland: Operates one of the most extensive 4G and 5G networks in Germany, with excellent coverage in both urban and rural areas.
• Vodafone Germany
• O2: Focuses on affordable service plans, with extensive 4G coverage and expanding 5G infrastructure.
• 1&1 Drillisch: Recently entered the market as an independent operator, building its own 5G network while using O2's 4G network through a roaming agreement.

The four network operators dominate the German telecommunications market and use different frequency bands to provide mobile phone services.

Telekom Deutschland GmbH (formerly T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH) is the largest telecommunications service provider in Germany, headquartered in Bonn, Germany. As a leading company in the German telecommunications industry, it maintains its market leadership through comprehensive services and strong network coverage.

Telekom Deutschland Network Frequency Bands and Coverage

2G/3G bands: 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (phased out to support low-traffic applications)

4G LTE bands:

• 800 MHz: Wide-area coverage, especially suitable for rural areas
• 1800 MHz: Main frequency band in cities and suburbs
• 2600 MHz: Signal transmission for high-density users in cities

5G frequency bands:

• 700 MHz and 800 MHz: wide-area coverage
• 3.6 GHz (Band n78): mainly used in cities and for high-speed data transmission
• 26 GHz millimeter wave: provides ultra-high-speed services in areas with high user density

Telekom's network covers almost all cities in Germany and provides extensive mobile and fixed broadband networks in rural areas.

Vodafone Germany is one of the leading telecommunications and digital service providers in Germany and is part of the global telecommunications giant Vodafone Group. It is the third largest mobile phone service provider in Germany and the company is headquartered in Helt, a suburb of Düsseldorf. In the German telecommunications market, Vodafone competes with companies such as Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica Germany and has a wide range of user base.

Vodafone Germany Network Frequency and Coverage

2G/3G bands: 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (phased out, reserved for low-traffic applications)

4G LTE bands:

• 800 MHz: Wide-area coverage, especially rural areas
• 1800 MHz: Main frequency band in cities and suburbs
• 2600 MHz: Supports signal transmission for high-density users in cities

5G frequency bands:

• 700 MHz and 800 MHz: wide-area coverage
• 3.6 GHz (Band n78): mainly used in cities and for high-speed data transmission
• 26 GHz millimeter wave: provides ultra-high-speed services in areas with high user density

Vodafone Germany's network covers most areas of Germany, especially cities and suburbs, providing high-quality communication services to users across the country.

Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG is one of the leading telecommunications companies in Germany and is a subsidiary of Telefónica Germany, a Spanish multinational telecommunications company Telefónica S.A. Together with Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone Germany, O2 dominates the German telecommunications market. O2 has gained a high market share among both individual users and corporate customers through fierce market competition.

O2 Germany Network Frequency and Coverage

2G/3G bands: 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (phased out)

4G LTE bands:

• 800 MHz: For wide-area coverage, especially in rural and suburban areas
• 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz: Support high-speed data services in cities

5G frequency bands:

• 700 MHz and 800 MHz: suitable for wide-area coverage in rural areas
• 3.5 GHz (Band n78): used for urban and high-speed data services
• 26 GHz millimeter wave: provides extremely high data rates to meet future high-speed communication needs

O2's network mainly covers cities and suburbs in Germany, and it is constantly expanding its 5G network in rural areas.

1&1 Drillisch AG is a leading telecommunications service provider in Germany, affiliated to United Internet AG. Founded in 2017, the company has an important position in the German telecommunications market by providing mobile network and broadband solutions to individual and corporate users. It provides mobile communication services to users by leasing network bands in the form of MVNO. It provides LTE coverage with the support of O2 and Vodafone networks. It has attracted a large number of users through innovative packages, the continuous development of 5G networks and diversified broadband services.

Frequency band:

5G: Operates primarily in the 3.6 GHz and 700 MHz bands, with more infrastructure under development.

Frequencies used by German network operators

Carrier	4G LTE Frequencies	5G Frequencies
Deutsche Telekom	700, 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 MHz	3.6 GHz, 700 MHz
Vodafone Germany	800, 1800, 2600 MHz	3.5 GHz, 700 MHz
Telefónica (O2)	800, 1800, 2600 MHz	3.5 GHz, 700 MHz
1&1 Drillisch	(Roaming via O2 for 4G)	3.5 GHz, 700 MHz

Frequencies used by German network operators

In Germany, the use of signal jammers is illegal under the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The law prohibits the unauthorized possession, sale, import or use of any device that could interfere with or disrupt communications signals. Violators risk heavy fines, imprisonment and confiscation of their equipment.

But there are exceptions to this rule. Government agencies, such as the police or intelligence services, can use signal jammers in national security situations, such as to combat terrorism or organized crime. Businesses can also use signal jammers in specific areas, such as hospitals, to prevent the use of mobile phones.