Base stations market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German base stations market began the period at a high volume of 516.7 thousand units in 2018, supported by intensified competition following the entry of a fourth mobile network operator and the completion of a national roaming agreement between 1&1 and Vodafone. The initial focus on 4G expansion and emerging 5G availability laid the groundwork for infrastructure investment. However, market volume gradually declined to 476.3 thousand units by 2020, even as the rollout of 5G base stations commenced and state funding programs were introduced, suggesting a transitional phase in network technology upgrades.

A sharp contraction to 380.9 thousand units occurred in 2021, despite growing adoption of small cells and continued public and private investment in 5G infrastructure for IoT and smart city applications. The market rebounded to 407.2 thousand units in 2022, driven by strengthened investments in 5G stations due to rising smartphone penetration and consumer demand, although global supply chain problems affected component availability for base stations.

Market volume fell again to 324.7 thousand units in 2023, a year marked by a significant expansion of 5G base stations to over 49 000 sites in Germany and the dominant role of infrastructure provider Deutsche Funkturm. By 2024, volume edged up to 329.8 thousand units, as new legislative requirements on supply chain transparency and circular economy added cost pressures, but state-backed mobile infrastructure projects and continued 5G network capacity expansion provided support.

Production base stations in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's base station production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 52.8 million US dollars, reflecting a 52.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 58%, equating to an annualized decline of 25.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 202.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 61.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

After two years of growth, base station production in Germany declined. In 2020, 241.7 thousand units were produced, marking a significant contraction of 12.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 7.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 275.7 thousand units, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports base stations from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2020, base station exports from Germany totaled 206.9 thousand units, rising by 11.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Poland accounted for 17.3% of exports, Austria for 11.3%, and France for 11.3%, together representing 40.0% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 60.0%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported base station volumes from Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 58.5 million US dollars, equivalent to a sharp decline of 34.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 52.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 22.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 145.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 38.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Switzerland accounted for 6.8% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 6.0%, and China for 5.7%, together comprising just 18.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports base stations to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

In 2020, the volume of base station imports into Germany reached 441.5 thousand units, indicating an 11.5% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 395.9 thousand units, which also saw the largest decline of 16.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 475.9 thousand units, experiencing the largest increase of 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, China, Sweden, and Ireland were the main sources for imports in kind. China accounted for 59.2% of imports, Sweden for 9.3%, and Ireland for 3.2%, together comprising 71.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of base station imports into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 96.2 million US dollars, showing a reduction of 5.8% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 103.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Sweden accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms. China represented 38.9% of imports, the United States 10.7%, and Sweden 6.1%, together comprising 55.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020