DSL or Cable Internet in Germany

Key takeaways

• Cable internet offers up to 1000 Mbit/s download and 200 Mbit/s upload speed. DSL offers a max of 250 Mbit/s download and 50 Mbit/s upload speed.
• DSL runs the internet on telephone lines. Cable uses TV cable lines to provide internet.
• Cable internet plans are cheaper than DSL.
• You have a legal right to high-speed Internet in Germany.

This is how you do it

• You can compare the internet plans on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*. 
• Apply for a new internet plan directly on the portal.
• You should change your internet plans regularly to save money.
• Young people’s discount can save you 50€ to 100€ annually.

Table of Contents

DSL and cable internet comparison

DSL and cable internet connections are the most common in Germany. Knowing the difference between DSL and cable connection can help you make an informed decision while picking an internet tariff.

Here are the five main differences between DSL and cable internet service.

Internet connection technology

DSL internet connections use telephone lines to provide internet access. Cable internet providers use TV cables to provide internet access.

Telekom is the operator of all the telephone lines in Germany, but it must open the lines for other competitors to use.

Some regions of Germany still have outdated telephone lines. Thus, the internet speed in such regions is limited to 16 Mbit/s.

Internet speed

A cable network is faster than a DSL connection. Cable lines can offer up to 1000 Mbit/s download speed and 200 Mbit/s upload speed.

On the other hand, DSL offers a maximum of 250 Mbit/s download and 50 Mbit/s upload speed. And if the telephone line in your area is outdated, you can never access a high-speed internet connection.

The good thing about the DSL internet connection is it’s stable. The internet speed doesn’t vary with the number of users.

But with the cable internet connection, you share the cable line with your neighbors. As the cable bandwidth is limited, your internet speed drops when many people use the internet simultaneously.

Internet cost

Cable internet plans are cheaper than DSL plans.

A 250 Mbit/s DSL internet plan costs 33 € per month. And a 250 Mbit/s cable plan costs only 22 € per month.

You can save around 120 € annually with a cable internet plan.

Availability of the internet

Every household in Germany has telephone lines. So, if you live in a remote location, DSL is usually your only option.

On the other hand, 2 out of every 3 households in Germany have a cable internet connection.

Vodafone owns the largest cable network in Germany. And unlike Telekom, Vodafone doesn’t have to open it up to its competitors.

Vodafone has also drastically improved the reach of cable internet by laying out new cable lines in recent years. 

Major internet providers

Germany has four major internet providers – Telekom, Vodafone, 1&1, and O2. There are also local internet providers like M-net in Munich, Pyur in Berlin, Net Cologne in Cologne, etc. But they are specific to a region.

Telekom has the largest market share in Germany, with 22 million customers. Next to Telekom is Vodafone, with 10 million customers.

Telekom mostly offers only DSL internet plans. On the other hand, Vodafone offers internet plans for every connection type, i.e., DSL, cable, and fibre-optic.

How do you find the best DSL or cable internet connection in Germany?

You can find the best DSL and cable internet plans on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*. We find Check24 and Verivox the best for searching for good internet plans for the following reasons.

• You can compare all the internet options in one place. 
• You can also apply for an internet contract directly from the portal. The portal takes care of the whole application process for you. 
• You can even apply for changing your internet plan directly on the portal. The comparison portal takes care of canceling the current contract and applying for the new one.
• Comparison portals also offer discounts on top of internet service providers’ discounts. It makes internet plans even cheaper.
• Portals have a feature that sends reminders when the minimum contract term is about to end. You can use this feature to look for other internet providers.
• You can use the filters on the comparison portals to refine your search and save time. 

Read our guide on the best internet providers in Germany to learn more.

6 things to keep in mind while picking the internet service provider in Germany

Internet contract term

Most internet service providers bind you to a 24-month contract. It means you cannot cancel your contract during this period.

You can cancel the contract by giving a 1-month notice once the minimum contract term ends. 

Router costs

You can buy your own router* for under 100 € on Amazon. Or you can rent it from the internet service provider.

Your monthly internet cost will increase by 5 € to 6 € if you rent the router from the internet provider. 

Telephone flat rate

Many internet plans offer landline flat rate at very low cost. So, if you use a landline phone often, you can benefit from such internet plans. 

On the other hand, you can save 3 € to 5 € per month if you don’t take a landline flat rate. 

Useful add-ons

• Combine your internet tariff with a television option. You can watch cable television at a cost of 10 € per month.
• Some internet providers offer international call plans. With this add-on, you can make cheap or flat-rate calls to certain countries.
• You can also go for an installation service if you find setting up the internet at home tricky.
• A good router can make a big difference in the internet reach and speed. Hence, opting for a better wireless router is a good option, especially if you have a big house.

Useless add-ons

• Many internet providers offer security packages. They claim to make your internet browsing experience safer. But it’s better to invest in good antivirus software instead.
• You sometimes also get offers for subscribing to a streaming service like Netflix or Deezer. You should carefully think if you really want the streaming service before deciding.

Young people’s internet plans

Many internet service providers offer discounted internet plans to young people (under 18). The young people’s discount can save you up to 50 to 100 € annually. This makes a cheap tariff cheaper.

German law on modern internet speeds

The German government amended the Telecommunications Act in 2021. As per the new law, you have a right to fast internet.

The definition of fast internet can be subjective. As per the law, the internet speed should at least be 10 Mbit/s for downloads and 1.7 Mbit/s for uploads.

Suppose your internet provider is not offering the minimum internet speed defined in the law. You can request support from the Federal Network Agency.

NOTE: The internet speed will be evaluated every year and will be updated if required.

VPNs for private browsing

VPN improves data security and privacy. We highly recommend it to people who often surf the internet on public Wi-Fi.

Moreover, getting a VPN is the way to go if you don’t want government authorities snooping on your internet activities.

The VPN awareness and usage in Germany are also increasing year over year. Here are some statistics.

• No one has the exact number of active VPN users in Germany. But as per the survey from NordVPN and Forbe, approximately 25% of Germans used a VPN in 2023. In 2022, only 14% of the German population used a VPN connection. 
• Of the 25% who use VPN, only 46% use paid VPN services. 
• Approximately 37% of people use free VPNs, and using a free VPN service poses risks. It’s of utmost importance to take a VPN from a trustworthy VPN provider. All your internet traffic goes through the VPN provider’s servers, and many VPN providers save your data and sell it to third parties.

We picked the best VPN for Germany that offers high-speed internet without compromising privacy. 

• NordVPN*
• ProtonVPN*
• ExpressVPN*