High level of trust in European routers: YouGov survey examines internet and router usage in Germany

• European router brands enjoy a high level of trust
• For over 90% of users, security, reliability, and price/performance/service are the most important purchase criteria
• DSL continues to dominate the market, fibre optic internet is already available to every third participant
• FRITZ!Box routers have the highest recommendation rate

The FRITZ!Box manufacturer AVM commissioned the market and public opinion research institute YouGov to conduct a representative survey of over 3,000 participants on the use of internet routers in Germany. In addition to information about the connection type and the importance of specific router features, the results revealed a high level of trust in European routers and a strong interest in purchasing products that are especially secure and reliable.

What product features are decisive when choosing a router?

In addition to features such as Wi-Fi coverage and speed, survey participants place great importance on aspects like security (for example, a powerful firewall or encryption), reliability, or price, performance, and service. Over 90% rated these factors as important to very important. When asked which product fulfilled these requirements, the FRITZ!Box ranks high: More than half of respondents (51%) use this brand and especially praise its reliability, speed, and security. The FRITZ!Box also scores points with its wide range of functions, user-friendliness including automatic updates, as well as the service and support offered. In terms of market share, Telekom routers placed second with 19%, followed by Vodafone routers with 10%. Other manufacturers account for 2% or less.

Fibre optic access available to every third participant

51% of respondents use DSL to surf the internet, 20% use cable, 16% use fibre optic, and 7% use mobile. Of those who currently do not have a fibre optic connection, 32% replied that fibre optics is already available on their street. Another 29% expect to have access to fibre soon. Of the 16% who already have a fibre optic internet connection, 67% use a FRITZ!Box. Another interesting statistic is that 39% of the participants rent their router while 51% have purchased their own.

Trust survey – an international comparison: 65% mistrust router manufacturers from China

Participants were also asked to rate how much they mistrusted manufacturers from Europe, USA, China, or Russia with regard to potential spying or security vulnerabilities of routers, for example. 65% of respondents do not trust router manufacturers from China. Only manufacturers from Russia were mistrusted more (67%). US manufacturers followed with a mistrust rate of 43%, whereas only 8% mistrust European manufacturers. These figures highlight the need to further expand European infrastructure to continue to offer customers secure and reliable 'Made in Europe' products.

High recommendation rate for FRITZ!Box

The so-called Net Promoter Score (NPS) indicates how likely participants are to recommend their router. Only two manufacturers had a positive NPS. The FRITZ!Box is the clear leader with an NPS of 19, followed by Telekom routers with an NPS of 10. All other routers had a negative NPS or their market share was too small to draw any conclusions.

About the survey

The results of this survey are based on online interviews with members of the YouGov panel who had previously agreed to participate. The survey was conducted between 26 March and 1 April 2025 and reflects the responses of 3,099 participants. The survey was stratified by age, gender, and region, and the results were then weighted accordingly. The results are representative of the German population aged 18 and over.