Deutsche Telekom leads in 5G coverage and speed within Germany, making it a strong choice for users prioritizing network performance in that region. Verizon offers broader service bundling and customer service tools, making it a potentially better option for users looking for integrated solutions and account management features, especially in areas where its 5G network is available.
| Attribute | Deutsche Telekom | Verizon |
|---|---|---|
| Network Coverage | Extensive 4G and rapidly expanding 5G coverage across Germany. 95.9% 5G coverage by the end of 2023, aiming for 99% by the end of 2025. Upgrading 2G areas to at least 4G. 2G switch off planned by June 2028. Operates over 80,000 antennas transmitting 5G. Award-winning 5G Availability and Reach. Best 5G geographical coverage in populated areas. | Offers 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G network coverage. 4G LTE reaches over 99% of the population. 5G coverage is smaller. |
| Data Speed | Fastest 5G network in Germany (Ookla). Median 5G download speed: 169.06 Mbps. Median upload speed: 25.19 Mbps. Lowest latency over 5G: 36 ms. June 2024 average download speed: 87.59 Mbps, average upload speed: 29.41 Mbps. | 5G Ultra Wideband: 25-50 Mbps download, 3-6 Mbps upload. 5G/4G LTE: 3-25 Mbps download, 1-3 Mbps upload. Verizon advertises 5-50 Mbps download. Average download speeds around 32 Mbps. Verizon Home Internet average speed: 93.76Mbps. Speeds vary depending on location, network congestion, and equipment. |
| Pricing Plans | Various eSIM data plans (prepaid, postpaid data-only, postpaid). Postpaid plans: monthly or 24-month contract, with/without smartphone. Travel Mobil options for outside EU (e.g., 1 GB for 14.95/month). | Unlimited Welcome starts at $65 for one line, as low as $30 per line for four lines. Prepaid unlimited plans start around $50/month with autopay. Adding perks to MyPlan costs $10/month per perk. |
| Customer Service Quality | Uses TRI*M method. Service tools: digital home service, digital assistant, callback service. 2023 first-call resolution rate: 69.0%. Digital assistant handles about 5,000 dialogues/week. | Revamping customer service using AI and dedicated "Customer Champions". Aims to resolve issues with a single call. |
| Roaming Options | 5G roaming in over 60 countries (agreements with over 120 companies). EU (including UK & Switzerland): German SIM at no extra charge. Travel Mobil options for outside EU. | TravelPass costs $12/day in 210+ countries, $6/day in Canada and Mexico. International Monthly Plan costs $100/month. |
| Bundled Services | Home Operating System (OS) manages TV, Wi-Fi, and smart home applications. | Offers bundled services including TV, internet, and home phone. Bundling Verizon Wireless with Fios internet can save you $25/month. |
| Device Options | Phones and financing options implied. | Offers a wide selection of phones with financing options. Accepts any phone trade-in to reduce the cost of upgrading to a 5G phone. |
| Contract Flexibility | eSIM data plans include prepaid (no contract) and postpaid (flexible monthly cancellation) options. | Offers both postpaid and prepaid plans. Postpaid plans may require a long-term contract (e.g., 24 months). Verizon 5G Home Internet has no annual contracts or data caps. |
| Network Reliability | 0% unplanned downtime in 2020 (ISS). AI-driven SD-WAN with 99.9% uptime (with Juniper Networks). | Network is generally considered reliable. Outages can occur. Dedicated pages for checking network status and reporting outages. |
| Security Features | Security Testing Team and bug bounty program. Specialized professionals protect infrastructure, supply chains, cloud platforms, and devices 24/7. Resilient and future-proof technology. Up to 40,000 third-party access attempts per minute. | AT&T ActiveArmor security (spam call blocking). AT&T ActiveArmor advanced security (spam call blocking, public Wi-Fi protection, identity monitoring). AT&T ActiveArmor advanced security (dark web monitoring, harmful website blocking, and more). |
| Innovation | T-Labs (R&D unit). Focus on future networks, quantum communication, spatial computing, decentralized systems, and security. Network APIs, product platforms, or test data for start-ups. | Offers innovative products and services, including 5G Home Internet and advanced home security systems. Using AI to improve customer service and personalize experiences. |
| eSIM Support | eSIM access for mobile customers. Uses GSMA eSIM Discovery service. eSIM Direct in Germany. | Supports eSIM. Can activate a device with eSIM by calling Verizon or using the My Business portal. The My Verizon app can be used to activate/download eSIM. |