German mobile phone users are drowning in unused data, and paying the price for it. A new analysis by comparison platform Verivox reveals that the average monthly data volume offered by contract plans from major telecom providers like Telekom, Vodafone, O2, and 1&1 is 72 GB. Yet the average user only consumes 11.7 GB. That’s a sixfold gap, and a costly one.
What sounds like generosity from telecom companies may actually be a deliberate pricing tactic. "For years, data budgets for tariffs have been rising disproportionately, much faster than customers' actual data usage," explained Verivox telecommunications expert Jörg Schamberg.
"There's a strategic calculation behind this – the more high-speed data volume a tariff contains, the more expensive it can be sold. The upgraded tariff portfolio of the major providers is thus driving up prices in the market even further." The providers know, however, that most customers "will only partially use" this data volume.
Just a year ago, the average data included in contracts was around 45 GB. In 2025, that shot up by 60%, despite barely any change in user behavior. While streaming, video calls, and social media all contribute to data use, widespread Wi-Fi access in homes, offices, and public spaces means most people still use only a fraction of their allowance.
This disconnect is fueling overpriced contracts. Consumers are lured into plans that sound future-ready, but they’re also paying for features they don’t need.
Verivox also highlights the contrast between postpaid contracts and prepaid plans. While prepaid users get an average of 14 GB, still more than the national average need, their monthly bills are nearly three times lower. Yet postpaid contracts dominate the market, driven by aggressive marketing, device bundling, and consumer inertia.
“There’s a perception that prepaid is for students or budget-conscious users,” but in reality, it’s a financially smart option for most.”
Schamberg advises consumers to match their mobile plan to actual usage, not imagined needs. Only those who travel a lot or don't have Wi-Fi access need a high data allowance," he explained
As data plans balloon and bills follow suit, it’s time for users to ask: Am I paying for speed and volume I’ll never use?
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