O2 Germany Hits 1.7 Gbps 5G Download Speeds

O2 Germany

O2 Germany, a subsidiary of Telefónica, has successfully reached download speeds of 1.7 Gbps on its 5G standalone (5G SA) network by aggregating four spectrum bands. The operator claims these speeds are nearly double that of typical high-speed, fiber-optic connections, a bold assertion meant to showcase the potential of 5G technology.

The test was conducted on a live network at O2’s innovation hub in Potsdam in collaboration with its long-time vendor partner, Nokia. The breakthrough was achieved by combining O2’s current 5G spectrum—700 MHz and 3.6 GHz bands—with 4G frequencies in the 1800 and 2.1 GHz bands. While real-world speeds hit 1.7 Gbps, Telefónica noted that the same combination could reach up to 2 Gbps under laboratory conditions.

To measure these speeds, O2 employed a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone.

Matthias Sauder, Director of Networks at O2 Telefónica, stated that, “This marks the first time we’ve bundled four frequencies on our standalone 5G network. The speeds we achieved demonstrate the vast possibilities of 5G standalone technology. It previews the future of network expansion and technological advancements.”

Sauder emphasized that customers can look forward to faster mobile internet and improved network quality, signaling O2’s commitment to enhancing the user experience through the evolution of 5G technology. 

Also Read: O2 Telefónica Germany and Ericsson Extend Core Network Collaboration

Telefónica and Nokia collaboration

In recent months, Telefónica and Nokia have announced plans to collaborate on 5G SA APIs in Germany and Spain to drive new use cases across the consumer, business, and industrial sectors. However, Sauder’s focus on speed rather than emerging 5G applications underscores a challenge: while faster internet is undoubtedly a benefit, it may not be a significant revenue booster for telecom operators.

Despite this, Telefónica is not lagging in its 5G SA deployment. The company’s standalone 5G network has been operational since October 2023 and now covers 96% of Germany’s population—a significant lead over many competitors. In contrast, the global roll-out of 5G SA networks has been slow, with only about 50 such networks commercially deployed by mid-2024, according to a report by Dell’Oro.

Telefónica Germany also renewed its core network contract with Ericsson earlier this year, despite securing a cloud core deal with Nokia and AWS. This recent speed test further highlights the operator’s strategy geared towards maintaining a diverse vendor ecosystem.

Telecom Review Europe Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and stay updated.

    terms & conditions

    Telecom Review Europe