1&1 has announced the activation of its own mobile network ahead of plans to launch its first smartphone tariffs on 8 December. 

Initially, where there is no dedicated coverage during the rollout phase of the new 1&1 mobile network, customers will automatically have access to Telefonica Deutschland’s 2G/4G/5G network as part of national roaming now expanded to include 5G. From 1 July 2024 1&1 will use national roaming from Vodafone as planned and reduce, step by step, upfront services from Telefonica.

1&1’s fully virtualised mobile network is based entirely on Open RAN technology. The firm launched 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) home broadband services for residential customers in December last year.