Satellite internet in Germany

Satellite internet sends data between a terminal installed at your home, satellites overhead and ground infrastructure connected to the wider internet. The terminal is normally placed outside with a suitable view of the sky, while a router distributes the connection inside your home.

Unlike DSL internet, cable or fibre, the final connection does not depend on a telephone, television or fibre line entering the building. That is its main practical strength. It can potentially serve a property where digging a new line would be difficult or where the existing fixed connection is inadequate.

The trade-offs include equipment placement, sensitivity to physical obstructions and performance that can vary with network conditions and weather. Response times may also differ from fixed-line connections, which matters for activities such as competitive gaming and real-time calls. Use our internet speed guide to assess what your household actually needs.

Satellite is most useful when the obstacle is the final connection to your property. A rural home, isolated building or address with an unsuitable fixed line may still have an appropriate outdoor position for a satellite terminal.

Start with the address, not the technology name

Check the available fibre, cable, DSL and mobile-based services before deciding. The Bundesnetzagentur broadband atlas can provide an initial indication, but each provider must confirm service at the full address. Building-level conditions can differ even within the same street.

Satellite may also be worth considering if a fixed-line installation is impractical. It should not be treated as guaranteed coverage: the provider must accept the address, and the property must have a workable installation location with sufficient line of sight.

Finding a suitable outdoor position

The satellite terminal needs a stable position with an appropriate view of the sky. Trees, nearby buildings, roof features and other obstructions can interrupt the signal. A balcony may work in some buildings, while other properties may require a roof, wall or ground installation. The provider's installation guidance should determine the final position.

Plan how the cable will run from the terminal to the router indoors. Check whether drilling, weatherproofing or a longer cable route is involved, and consider where the router will sit. Good satellite reception does not by itself guarantee good Wi-Fi in every room; our guide to Wi-Fi in Germany explains practical ways to improve indoor coverage.

If you rent, obtain permission before attaching equipment or making permanent changes. Apartment owners may also need to follow building or owners' association rules. Ask who installs the equipment, who is responsible for maintenance and whether you own or return the hardware when the service ends.

Where available, fibre internet is usually the first fixed-line technology to investigate because it is designed for high-capacity connections. Cable internet may offer another route through the television network, while DSL uses the telephone line. The appropriate option depends on the infrastructure connected to your building and the plans offered at your address.

5G home internet avoids a new fixed line by connecting a home router to a mobile network. It can be simpler to position than a satellite terminal, but indoor reception, network conditions and the provider's address approval matter. Test likely router positions rather than assuming that phone reception represents whole-home performance.

The 5G home plan represented in our comparisons

Among the published home plans we compare, the only 5G home product is congstar Homespot & Go. Its availability still requires an address check. This does not mean it will suit every satellite candidate: compare usage terms, equipment, contract conditions and reception at your property before choosing.