FAQs on router freedom

Routers are the basis for an intelligent, secure home network and internet access. The different routers vary in terms of functionality, security (for example port forwarding, firewall, parental controls, or secure guest access), and Wi-Fi performance. For further information, see the article How to get the best Wi-Fi.

It may also be important whether the router supports IP telephony, how many devices can be integrated into the network, and whether the router is also suitable for demanding multimedia applications such as streaming, smart TV, or online games.

For years, users have been able to choose their own routers for DSL and mobile connections. In 2016, the law was changed to give users the freedom to choose their own terminal equipment for cable and fibre optic connections as well.

Thanks to router freedom, you can now select and buy your own router according to your needs, even on a cable or fibre optic connection. You no longer have to pay rental fees for the device or Wi-Fi, and you get free feature and security updates directly from the manufacturer. If you switch providers or move, you don't need to completely reconfigure your home network or Wi-Fi settings. An integrated router includes a modem, wireless router and phone system, as well as multimedia and smart home control, thus saving you money. Power consumption is also lower since all of these functions are combined in a single device.

The legal framework of the German Telecommunications Act ('Telekommunikationsgesetz', TKG) stipulates that all customers may select their own routers. The only prerequisite is that the terminal device (i.e. the modem or router) must be compatible with the technology of the respective connection and the provider must supply all of the information required to use it; they have been legally required to do so since this law came into effect.

Our website Router freedom contains current information on various providers. There you will also find all of the information you need to configure your FRITZ!Box for your internet connection, if information about your internet service provider is already available.

Since August 2016, network operators are legally required to provide customers with the account information for their connections. With new contracts, this information must be provided 'in writing, unsolicited, and free of charge'. This includes the account information for all of the services made available by the provider for the connection. Generally, this means internet and telephony (Voice over IP). According to a court decision made by the District Court in Essen, providers are also required to provide standing customers with account information.

Our website Router freedom contains current information on various providers. There you will also find all of the information you need to configure your FRITZ!Box for your internet connection, if information about your internet service provider is already available.

All conventional access technologies such as DSL, cable, mobile, and fibre optics are based on international standards that have enabled device manufacturers to develop products that have been compatible with the networks for many years. For example, DSL routers are suitable for use with almost all DSL connections, just as mobile network routers are suitable for almost any mobile network.

FRITZ! develops FRITZ!Box Cable modems according to the interface specifications provided by network operators. FRITZ!Box Cable models that are currently available in stores, such as the FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable, are suitable for cable connections and a great number of network operators.

FRITZ!Box Cable models that were previously rented from a provider cannot be used with all cable connections.

No, there is no difference. According to the German Telecommunications Act, router freedom means that users have the unrestricted right to connect any suitable router of their choice to their network interface (connection socket), regardless of their telecommunications provider.

This right applies equally to DSL, mobile, fibre optic, and cable customers. The router must fulfil the technical requirements for the respective connection or provider. Otherwise, a connection cannot be established. Refer to 2.1 for information on connecting a cable router to a cable connection.

Routers must be CE-certified and marked with the corresponding CE symbol. No additional certification, for example through the internet service provider, is necessary.

The manufacturers of end devices are responsible for the technical support of routers and modems, not the internet service providers.

For many years, FRITZ! has been offering comprehensive product support via phone, chat, and email, and provided guides for special application scenarios. You can find information about your FRITZ!Box and support requests in our service area.

Many diagnostic functions are also integrated into the FRITZ!Box that support users when they are experiencing connection issues.

FRITZ! provides regular free updates for its FRITZ!Box models.

You can use the 'automatic update' function to install the latest FRITZ!OS shortly after release. This function is preset in all FRITZ!Boxes for necessary updates, such as security updates, so you don't normally need to worry about updates.

Yes, you can also use your FRITZ!Box with an All IP connection (IP telephony instead of analogue or ISDN) from Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, or 1&1.

According to the German Telecommunications Act, network operators are required to provide the account information 'in writing, unsolicited, and free of charge' when a contract is concluded.

According to a ruling by the Regional Court of Essen, network operators are obligated to disclose access information, even in the case of existing contracts. It's best to contact your provider directly for specific information.

If you have any questions or problems concerning the implementation of the freedom of choice of terminal equipment, you can also refer to consumer organizations in the individual federal states (https://www.vzbv.de/ueber-uns/organisation/mitglieder/verbraucherzentralen) as well as the consumer service of the Federal Network Agency (https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Vportal/TK/start.html).

Yes, the German Telecommunications Act stipulates that users may choose which terminal device to use. The law defines what a passive network termination point is. In this case, the passive network termination device is the fibre optic socket, for directly connecting a fibre optic modem or router such as the FRITZ!Box 5690 or 5590 Fiber. Accordingly, a provider may not dictate which router or TV you use.

Yes, both FRITZ!Box Fiber models support the AON, GPON, and XGS-PON standards and thus cover all common standards used in Germany. A FRITZ!SFP AON and a FRITZ!SFP GPON for the two fibre optic network topologies that are common in Germany are included in the package contents.

From your internet provider. They are obligated to provide you with the access information for your connection. If access information is required for the connection itself – i.e., for establishing the connection to the operator's fibre optic network – you will receive this from your network operator.

Network operators are obligated to publish the so-called interface specifications for their network. This also includes the technology used by the network operator. Googling 'interface specifications [name of network operator]' is the quickest way of finding yours.

No, the FRITZ!Box automatically adopts the correct settings. FRITZ!Box models with SFP plug-in modules automatically adopt the correct settings for the SFP plug-in module.

No, the modem is redundant. To connect to the network, all you need is the FRITZ!Box 5530 or 5590 Fiber. The modem function is integrated in the FRITZ!Box (comparable to the corresponding function in FRITZ!Box models for DSL or cable connections).

The legal situation is clear, even for fibre optic connections. The network operator provides a passive network termination – the fibre optic socket. The end customer can then connect their terminal device to this (see section 73 of the German Telecommunications Act).

Fibre optic connections and corresponding terminal devices are not very widespread yet in Germany. These are often smaller fibre optic providers or network operators who are not yet prepared for customers to use their own devices or who understand router freedom to mean that any router can be connected to the network operator's modem. This is of course possible, but not the point of router freedom. It is explicitly about the fact that users get a passive socket and can use their hardware behind it.

Even if not initially planned by the network operator, a solution can often be found together with this provider to connect the FRITZ!Box directly to the connection.

The SFP modules included with the FRITZ!Box 5530 and 5590 Fiber have LC/APC sockets. The cable also has LC/APC connectors on both sides. If your fibre optic connection has a different socket, there are adapters or cables with different connectors on either side of the cable. The cable itself and how long it is play a minor role. Also, the length of the cable doesn't matter when installing in a normal household. The attenuation of the cables is comparatively low. You can find additional information on selecting a suitable fibre optic cable in our guide Which fibre optic cable do I need?

Users can connect a router with an integrated modem to the passive network termination (fibre optic socket) themselves. If there is no fibre optic socket, then its installation should be discussed with the network operator.

Installing a passive network termination makes sense in any case – it means modern fibre optic terminal devices can also be connected in the future.

As explained in section 1.5, cable connections also comply with international standards. The FRITZ!Box Cable supports the network interface specifications used by all cable network operators (ETSI TS 102 639 (DOCSIS, EuroDOCSIS 3.0), ETSI TS 103 311 (DOCSIS 3.1 broadband cable connection for internet and telephony), as well as IETF RFC 3261 (Session Initiation Protocol for Voice over IP)).

In addition, specific adjustments may be necessary for individual cable providers, which they have been required to publish since August 2016. We assume that all manufacturers of cable routers make sure that their products are compatible with as many cable networks in Germany as possible.

The following commercially available FRITZ!Box models are specifically designed for use with any cable connection:

• FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable with article number 20002965
• FRITZ!Box 6670 Cable with article number 20003047
• FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable with article number 20002910
• FRITZ!Box 6591 Cable with article number 20002857
• FRITZ!Box 6590 Cable with article number 20002781
• FRITZ!Box 6490 Cable with article number 20002778
• FRITZ!Box 6430 Cable with article number 20002779

Other products, such as the FRITZ!Box 6360, 6340, 6320, and the above-mentioned FRITZ!Box Cable models with different article numbers are expressly not intended for unrestricted free use and may not function the same way a FRITZ!Box Cable with the above-mentioned article number does when used with cable connections. It will also not be possible to support the interface specifications of these products, which we assume are the property of cable providers, in a way that would allow for unrestricted use in the future.

To connect to the internet, your FRITZ!Box must be unlocked or activated by your cable provider for internet access. The initial setup of your FRITZ!Box is defined by your provider and may vary. Your provider will inform you accordingly.

Connecting the FRITZ!Box at home is very simple: A clear quick guide directs you through the installation so that you don't need to have a technician help you. If you have any questions, you can consult the online help and FRITZ! telephone support.

You can find further information on setting up the FRITZ!Box on your cable connection on our website Router freedom.

With the introduction of router freedom, there have been no special changes to the legal situation regarding renting or leasing the FRITZ!Box Cable. The existing conditions for a FRITZ!Box Cable provided by the network operator still apply. In the case of rented or leased devices, the cable provider is responsible for software updates and setting up their services on the device.