Deutsche Telekom has unleashed a suite of innovative 5G enhancements across Germany, solidifying its position as the nation’s pioneering network operator. The upgrades, rolled out to deliver tangible benefits to everyday users, include advanced network slicing for specialized applications, RedCap technology for power-efficient devices, and optimized gaming features— all now accessible to more than 98% of the population through the company’s expansive 5G footprint.
Abdurazak Mudesir, Chief Technology Officer at Telekom Deutschland GmbH, highlighted the company’s customer-centric vision in a recent blog post. “From the very beginning, we were driven by the idea of offering real added value for our customers with our innovations,”
Mudesir wrote. “That is why we are consistently developing 5G further. We are the first network operator in Germany to launch additional functionalities and associated new products based on 5G standalone for our customers.”
At the forefront of these advancements is network slicing, a breakthrough that carves out dedicated virtual segments within the 5G infrastructure tailored to specific needs.
One standout application is the Live Video Production service, first introduced in 2023, which empowers broadcasters to stream high-bandwidth video feeds during live events with unwavering reliability.
“This is based on network slicing and ensures that broadcasters can transmit a data-intensive video signal during live coverage via 5G standalone, and in reliable quality,” Mudesir explained.
Complementing this, Deutsche Telekom has integrated RedCap (Reduced Capability) technology, a game-changer for compact, energy-conscious gadgets. As the only German operator supporting this feature, the company now enables the latest Apple Watch models to leverage full 5G transmission. “With the implementation of RedCap in our network, we are the only network operator in Germany where the new models of the Apple Watch can also transmit in the 5G network,” Mudesir noted.
He emphasized its broader potential: “This innovation primarily supports new types of devices such as wearables or sensors in Deutsche Telekom’s network. RedCap improves network efficiency, extends device range, and extends device battery life. We are already working on other applications for this technology.”
For gamers, the enhancements build on last year’s launch of 5G+ Gaming, powered by L4S (Low Latency, Low Loss Scalable Throughput) technology. This “supercharges” network slices to minimize jitter—the frustrating fluctuations in data delay that can spell defeat in online play.
“With this technology, a network slice can be ‘supercharged’ with an additional feature: the data transmission within the slice is optimised in such a way that optimal latency or the lowest possible fluctuation of latency is always achieved,” Mudesir said.
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“This fluctuation, also known as jitter, is crucial for gaming success, especially for online gamers: the lower the jitter, the better and faster the reactions when gaming.” Recent announcements at Gamescom 2025 further amplify this, with Deutsche Telekom partnering with NVIDIA to integrate GeForce NOW cloud gaming into its 5G+ network starting this autumn, promising lag-free access to over 2,300 titles on smartphones nationwide.
These features form the backbone of 5G Advanced, the next evolutionary leap in 5G standards, positioning Deutsche Telekom among the global vanguard of commercial deployments. “Both L4S and RedCap are essential components of 5G Advanced, the technical evolution of 5G. This makes us one of the first network operators to commercially introduce 5G Advanced capabilities in mobile communications,” Mudesir affirmed.
The rollout coincides with aggressive infrastructure investments, including the addition of 276 new mobile sites and upgrades to over 1,200 existing ones in recent months, many now 5G-enabled. With coverage already spanning 98% of households and ambitions to hit 99% by year’s end, the upgrades arrive at a pivotal moment for Germany’s digital economy. “All functionalities are available throughout Germany, and we already reach more than 98% of the population with our 5G network,” Mudesir concluded, underscoring a commitment to seamless, high-speed connectivity for all.
