Annoying dead spots are part of everyday life for some rail customers when traveling by train in Germany. That should change, because Deutsche Bahn has now reached a new agreement with Vodafone. All gaps in the Vodafone network should disappear as far as possible. Negotiations are still ongoing with Telefónica (o2).
Dead spots: New DB agreement with Vodafone
Anyone who travels by train in Germany knows the problem only too well: the connection suddenly breaks off when making cell phone calls – which by no means only happens in tunnels. Even with mobile Internet, it is not uncommon for the Internet to fall back from 4G or 5G to the outdated and slow Edge (E) standard. A new agreement should now ensure significantly more stable connectionswhich Deutsche Bahn met with the network operator Vodafone.
The goal is, all remaining gaps in the Vodafone mobile network to close at the routes. According to the expansion plan, Vodafone will provide continuous 225 megabits per second on the approximately 7,800 kilometers of main traffic routes in the 4G network by mid-2025. This applies to all long-distance routes where ICE and IC trains run. Vodafone promises at least 125 megabits per second without gaps over a further 13,800 kilometers.
Vodafone also wants to be on the ICE and IC routes Activate “5G Plus” network. With the “5G standalone” technology, LTE is completely dispensed with (source: heise online).
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Turnaround in dead zones: Telekom included, o2 not yet
Deutsche Bahn reached a similar agreement with Telekom in June 2021. An uninterrupted supply of mobile communications on all railway lines is only to be achieved here until the year 2026 to be guaranteed. Until then, at least 200 megabits per second are being worked on. In long-distance traffic, the end of 2024 is the target date. Details are currently being negotiated with the third network operator, Telefónica (o2).