Vodafone Deutschland has launched a significant initiative to restructure the frequencies used for transmitting digital TV and radio signals across its cable network in Germany. This large-scale project aims to create a consistent spectrum nationwide, ultimately freeing up capacity to boost broadband speeds across the company’s extensive cable infrastructure.
The technical overhaul, already finalized in cities like Krefeld, Böblingen, Hürth, and Bünde, will be progressively implemented in an additional 400 cities and municipalities over the next 11 months. This upgrade will affect a substantial number of connections, impacting approximately 8.6 million TV connections. Vodafone projects the complete rollout by mid-2026.
“By reorganising the spectrum, we are creating room for the future and expanding what we can do with our nationwide cable fibre network,” explained Tanja Richter, Chief Technology Officer of Vodafone Deutschland. “At the same time, we are introducing the NorDig-LCN standard, which makes the transition much easier for our customers. In many households, the manual channel search the next morning will now be a thing of the past.”
The NorDig-LCN system streamlines the channel reassignment process when frequencies change. Compatible receivers—including those from Vodafone, Unitymedia, and Sky—will automatically update channels, eliminating the need for manual retuning or re-ordering of favorite lists. However, certain older TV sets and receivers might necessitate a manual channel search.
Concurrently with the frequency reallocation, Vodafone is transitioning the compression format for standard-definition (SD) channels to H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC), a format already utilized for high-definition (HD) broadcasting. The company advises customers against disconnecting their receivers or cable routers overnight during the migration to prevent disruptions.
Following the update, users may need to reprogram recordings or adjust their favorite lists, depending on their specific device. This reorganization significantly contributes to preparing Vodafone’s cable network for faster internet speeds. Through the standardization of frequency allocation across Germany, Vodafone aims to enhance the overall performance of its TV, telephony, and broadband services.
Vodafone is proactively notifying customers via letter, email, and local announcements, and comprehensive details, including dates, are available on a dedicated website.