Germany’s fourth mobile operator, 1&1 Mobilfunk, announced a major milestone today: it has attracted 10 million subscribers on its 5G network built entirely using Open Radio Access Network (O‑RAN) technology just 18 months after launch .
CEO Michael Martin said, “Hardly any other mobile network has grown faster than the 1&1 O‑RAN. Ten million users are clear evidence of the performance and reliability of our infrastructure based on the innovative Open RAN technology.” He further projected that subscriber numbers would exceed 12 million by year-end.
1&1’s O‑RAN roll-out is distinguished by its decentralized structure. The network includes:
- 4 core data centers and 24 edge data centers, already operational.
- 279 local data centers, out of over 500 planned, already deployed in phase one.
This cloud‑native, distributed architecture promotes low latency connectivity, delivering robust speeds across Germany.
Migratory subscribers are fueling the surge:
- Up to 50,000 users per day are migrating from Telefónica and Vodafone wholesale networks to 1&1’s own infrastructure.
- The company aims to reach 25% household coverage by the end of 2025 and 50% by 2030, per previous targets .
This gradual but steady move increasingly breaks dependency on legacy networks ahead of contract expiries.
1&1 attributes its competitive edge to several O‑RAN benefits:
- High performance: Gigabit MIMO antennas are directly fiber-connected across a cloud-wide network.
- Digital sovereignty: Open interfaces allow multi-vendor selection for innovation and security.
- Energy efficiency: TÜV Rheinland-certified efficiencies of 10–30% over conventional networks.
- Security: Standardized open interfaces are regularly audited to maintain infrastructure integrity.
Over 80 partners supply hardware, software and services fueling a modular multi-vendor ecosystem.
1&1 leveraged two key roaming agreements to accelerate scale:
- A five-year roaming deal with Vodafone (with an optional 13-year extension) supports rural and underserved areas; it includes access to 2G/4G/5G.
- A separate agreement with Telefónica, set to expire in June 2025, offers similar coverage options .
These partnerships help sustain service during independent network expansion.
1&1 is the first operator in Europe to deploy a fully O‑RAN-based national 5G network, and the pace of subscriber growth places it among Europe’s fastest if not the fastest roll-outs in recent years.
Analysts note that 1&1’s architecture supports network scalability, innovation, and vendor independence key O‑RAN hallmarks. Its early mover advantage may inspire peers to consider similar strategies.
- 12 million subscribers expected by end-2025.
- Full deployment of 500+ data centers to complete decentralized footprint.
- Greater vendor diversity and AI‑driven network optimization likely as O‑RAN matures.
- Continued rollout of digital services and bundled offerings leveraging bespoke infrastructure.
1&1’s milestone marks a pivotal moment for O‑RAN adoption:
- It proves large-scale, cloud-native RAN deployment is commercially viable.
- It underscores compelling benefits: cost efficiency, operational control, and energy savings.
- It signals a strategic shift away from traditional RAN vendor dominance toward open, interoperable multi‑vendor platforms.
As networks decouple from proprietary hardware, 1&1 provides a blueprint for operators seeking flexible, sustainable, and sovereign 5G infrastructure. With continued O‑RAN innovation and broader adoption, the 5G era could evolve into a modular, cloud‑ready platform era reshaping the telecommunications landscape across Europe and beyond.
