Mobile networks & satellite communications
Mobile networks
and satellites.
Clearly explained.
What does 5G offer? Which router suits a home connection? And when can a satellite link help? We explain the technology through articles and our own diagrams.
One world. Many connections.
The LTEmobile German-language 6G e-book
Mobile network technology
Understanding mobile networks.
Frequencies, range, wireless backhaul and the LTE core network: the fundamentals, explained with diagrams.
Bands & spectrum
5G frequencies and bands
Band numbers, Germany's frequency allocations and FDD/TDD explained.
Radio paths & reception
Understanding 5G range
Frequency, antennas and the return path: what a reliable radio connection needs.
Wireless links & backhaul
IAB: 5G without fibre?
How small 5G cells connect through wireless backhaul, and where the limits lie.
Network architecture & data paths
The LTE core network (EPC)
How MME, HSS and gateways work together behind the base station.
Satellite communications
Phones and satellites.
Clearly explained.
What works in Germany today, and how satellites complement mobile networks: two technical articles with explanatory diagrams.
Satellite connectivity on phones in Germany
Emergency messages, compatible devices and announced services.
Direct-to-Cell and 5G NTN
How D2D, Direct-to-Cell and standardised satellite radio fit together.
Mobile plans and home internet
Guides for your connection.
Compare plans, test reception and plan your switch.
Mobile plans
Finding a low-cost 5G plan
Price examples, data allowances and contract costs: compare 5G plans that suit your needs.
Home internet
Switching from DSL to LTE or 5G
Test reception and your router, estimate data use and plan telephony and the switch.
Making an informed choice
Compare your connection options.
Our approach
What you'll
find here.
Technology you can follow.
We explain how mobile networks and satellite communications work. Labelled diagrams show frequency ranges, signal paths and network architecture. Each article sets out its sources and assumptions.
How we use sourcesTechnical articles explain how things work. Guides and comparisons help you choose.
Explore the details
How the topics connect.
- 5G frequencies and bands – Which bands exist, and how does a band differ from a national allocation?
- Understanding 5G range – What affects the radio path between a device and a base station?
- Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) – How does data travel wirelessly from a small cell to the donor?
- The LTE core network (EPC) – How do registration and data forwarding work behind the base station?
Getting started with satellite communications
Satellite internet, calls and messaging serve different purposes. Your location, view of the sky, device and service determine which option fits. Start with Satellite connectivity on phones: what actually works in Germany? For the technical foundations, read Direct-to-Cell and 5G NTN.
Back to satellite communications ↑Further reading
From the technical article archive.
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EPC: how the LTE core network works
How the LTE core network registers subscribers and forwards data. Diagrams explain MME, HSS, S-GW, P-GW, PCRF and separate control and user-data paths.
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LTE Advanced
How LTE-Advanced uses multiple carriers and spatial data streams: Carrier Aggregation, MIMO and relay nodes explained together, with the original LTEmobile diagrams and additional context.…
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Digital dividend
How former television frequencies became available for mobile broadband: the first and second digital dividends, the 800 and 700 MHz awards, and their role in…