Fibre internet in Germany

Fibre-to-the-home, or FTTH, carries data through fibre-optic cable all the way to your premises. This distinguishes it from connections that use fibre for part of the route but rely on copper or coaxial cable for the final section.

Inside the home, the fibre normally terminates at a fibre connection point. An optical network terminal or compatible router converts the optical signal so your devices can connect by Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The provider should explain which equipment is required and whether it is supplied.

Availability is building-specific. A street may have fibre infrastructure while an individual property, entrance or flat still needs approval or installation work. That is why FTTH Germany availability cannot be established from a postcode alone. You need to enter the complete address and, where requested, the floor or unit.

The published residential plans we reviewed come from congstar, Telekom, O2, 1&1 and Deutsche Glasfaser. Each offers several speed levels, but an address may qualify for only some providers or products.

The contract structures differ. The reviewed congstar plans have flexible terms and no included German landline. The reviewed Telekom, O2 and 1&1 fibre plans run for 24 months and include a German landline. Deutsche Glasfaser also uses 24-month terms; its DG basic 100 plan does not include a landline, while the other reviewed plans do.

Provider choice should therefore follow the address check rather than precede it.

Separate the recurring price from one-off costs. The reviewed congstar plans have a €0 activation fee, while the reviewed O2 plans charge €9.99. The published activation fee is €49.95 for the reviewed 1&1 plans and €79.99 for the reviewed Deutsche Glasfaser plans.

We could not verify an activation fee for the reviewed Telekom plans, so confirm it directly before ordering. You should also ask whether the quoted amount includes the router, fibre termination equipment, technician work and any connection work required inside or outside the building.

For promotional offers, calculate the cost across the full minimum term rather than comparing only the first monthly payment.

Read the contract summary and confirm the details that affect your total cost and installation:

• the advertised download and upload speeds;
• the monthly price during and after any promotional period;
• the minimum term, notice rules and activation fee;
• whether a router and optical network terminal are included;
• whether a German landline is part of the plan;
• who arranges access to shared building areas;
• whether construction, technician or internal cabling charges apply; and
• the expected activation process for your particular address.

Upload speed deserves attention if you regularly send large files, use cloud backups or make video calls. For a broader explanation of choosing a suitable connection, see our guide to internet speed in Germany. If you are arranging service after a move, follow the practical steps for getting internet in Germany.

Fibre runs an optical connection directly to the premises and is particularly attractive when you want substantial upload capacity or expect several people to use the connection heavily. Its main practical limitation is address-specific availability and the possibility that a property still needs installation work.

How the alternatives differ

DSL internet uses the telephone line for the final connection and may be an option where FTTH is not ready. Cable internet uses the building’s coaxial cable network and can offer fast downloads, but performance is shaped by the local network and property connection. 5G home internet uses a mobile signal, so indoor reception and local network conditions matter.

Compare only technologies that pass the address check. A slower plan on an installed fixed line may be more practical than waiting for fibre construction, while an available FTTH connection may suit a household that values higher upload speeds and a long-term fixed connection.