Overview: which mobile network provider uses which network? “Sir Apfelot

In Germany we can choose from tens of cell phone providers with a wide variety of tariffs, conditions and offers. You can choose from prepaid tariffs, mobile phone tariffs that can be canceled on a monthly basis, two-year tariffs with smartphones and more. But there are only three mobile networks in which you can use your tariff in this country: Telekom, Vodafone and o2. In the latter, the E-Plus network was incorporated after Telefónica Germany had bought both. In the following, I have summarized for you which provider, in addition to the network operators, uses their lines and radio towers.

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Which mobile phone providers operate with Telekom, Vodafone and / or o2? And which cell phone providers have used the E-Plus network? Here is the whole overview of the providers in the "mother networks". — Which mobile phone providers work with Telekom, Vodafone and / or o2? And which Cellular Provider have ever used the E-Plus network? Here is the complete overview of the providers in the “mother networks”.

Chapter in this post:

1 Which cellular providers use Telekom, Vodafone and o2?
2 mobile phone providers in the Telekom network
3 mobile phone providers in the Vodafone network
4 mobile phone providers in the o2 network (Telefónica)
5 mobile phone providers in the former E-Plus network (Telefónica)
6 My cellular provider appears in several networks
7 What does the knowledge of the “mother network” bring me?
8 Similar posts

Which cellular providers use Telekom, Vodafone and o2?

As a so-called Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), providers of various tariffs and tariff device bundles rent the infrastructure of the network operators in order to make their own offers functional. This has been the case in Germany since 2004. The network operators only provide lines, radio masts and similar technology and their operation. The providers take care of the administration of customer data, issuing of SIM cards, billing, debt collection and the like. If you have any questions about tariffs and processing, you should contact the provider rather than the network operator - despite the following overview;)

My cellular provider appears in several networks

In the lists above you will find some duplications. But that's not a typo on my part. Because while the discount brands of the network operators (congstar with Telekom, otelo with Vodafone, FONIC with o2 and BASE with E-Plus) are not active in other networks, the situation is different for independent MVNO companies. One of the best known - mobilcom-debitel - offers, for example, mobile phone contracts in all available networks. Some brands of Drillisch AG (DeutschlandSIM, yourfone, eteleon, M2M mobil, PremiumSIM, etc.) are not always limited to one network operator. Which network you ultimately use can be found in your collective agreement or, if in doubt, ask the support team (have your customer number ready).

What does the knowledge of the “mother network” bring me?

But what is the point of knowing in which network a certain tariff is implemented by provider XYZ? Probably not that much in the big city because the networks there are all equally well developed. But especially in rural areas you should check the network coverage of the operator in whose network the offer is implemented before signing a contract. Especially when it comes to 4G LTE (and from 2020 also 5G mobile communications), it is important to know whether you might not be living in a dead zone and whether another network will protect you from nasty surprises and long loading times. Here's a little help:

Telecom network coverage: Interactive map
Network coverage from Vodafone: Network coverage map
Network coverage of o2 / E-Plus: Availability check

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.

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Peter Mueller

January 3, 2020 at 19:22 am

Thanks for the lists. But why doesn't AldiTalk appear anywhere?

sir appleot
January 3, 2020 at 19:55 am

Good question. I'll see that I add it right away. AldiTalk uses the network of O2 and E-Plus.

Bernd

January 8, 2020 at 15:50 am

How current is that? I can't find BigSIM, for example, any more. And where did you get the information from?
I am surprised that it is usually not stated which provider is used, whether that would be a plus point with Telekom or Vodafone ...

sir appleot
January 8, 2020 at 17:49 am

Hello Bernd!
The list is made up of information from various sources; e.g. provider websites, Wikipedia, etc.
As far as I know, BigSIM was abandoned in mid / late 2018. However, it is not bad to be able to assign a few providers that are no longer in operation. If someone is still using one of their SIM cards or is wondering whose network the provider used to use to find a new provider in the same network.
I hope this could answer your questions;)

Overview: which mobile network provider uses which network?

Which cellular providers use Telekom, Vodafone and o2?

Mobile operator in the telecommunications network

Mobile operator in the Vodafone network

Mobile operator in the o2 network (Telefónica)

Mobile operator in the former E-Plus network (Telefónica)

My cellular provider appears in several networks

What does the knowledge of the “mother network” bring me?

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