Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €13.3bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
The German telecommunications market is characterised by strong competition due to its special market structure
- In Germany, internet providers act as resellers of telecommunications services. They offer both fixed and mobile connections as well as various types of internet access such as xDSL, VDSL, fibre optic (FTTH/B), cable or mobile data connections (e.g. LTE, 5G). These providers are characterised by the fact that they do not have their own physical infrastructure. Instead, they purchase access and network capacity from network operators such as Telekom Deutschland, Vodafone or Telefónica. This is done through standardised regulatory and technical wholesale products such as bitstream access, layer 2 BSA or via unbundling of the local loop. The purchased services are bundled into own products and sold to end customers via the company's own brand.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
United Internet now operates its own mobile network, which changes the competitive conditions in the industry
- United Internet is one of the leading German internet providers and has long helped shape the market as a particularly large reseller of network capacity. To date, the company has provided private and commercial customers with landline and mobile phone connections as well as internet-based services, mainly using the Telefónica and Vodafone networks as a mobile virtual network operator. With the establishment of its own mobile network by its subsidiary 1&1, which started in December 2023, United Internet is now undergoing a fundamental transformation. More than 12 million mobile customers will be gradually migrated to the new 1&1 network, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
Biggest companies in the Telecommunications Resellers in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
United Internet AG | 2,711.0 | |
Freenet AG | 2,318.6 | |
Deutsche Telekom AG | 1,714.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Landlines and broadband internet, Mobile phone connections and Mobile data services. Landlines and broadband internet is the largest segment of the Telecommunications Resellers in Germany.
Trends and Insights
The industry's sales of fixed-network connections and broadband internet have stagnated over the last five years
- The fixed-line and broadband internet segments account for the largest share of industry revenue.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this sector offer private households, companies and public institutions landline and mobile phone connections purchased from network operators as well as access to the internet. Its range of services also includes the resale of network capacity and the provision of specialised telecommunications solutions such as virtual private networks (VPNs). This sector does not include operators of telecommunications networks.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany include Sale of mobile services, Sale of fixed network services and Sale of data services.Companies
Companies covered in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany include United Internet AG, Freenet AG and Deutsche Telekom AG.Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany include bit current access, fibre to the building (fttb), fibre to the home (ftth), internet protocol television (iptv), ipv6 (internet protocol version 6), mobile virtual network operator (mvno), network virtualisation, over the top (ott), vectoring and very high speed digital subscriber line (vdsl).Industry Code
WZ 61.90 - Telecommunications Resellers in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Internet providers in Germany act as resellers without their own network infrastructure, which requires close but tense cooperation with network operators. This structure pro...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The internet provider sector generates the highest share of revenue with fixed-network connections and broadband internet. While revenue in this area is stagnating, revenue f...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The centre region has the highest number of companies in the sector. This is due to the large population in the region, which means there are a correspondingly large number o...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The industry is characterised by strong internal competition. Fixed and mobile connections as well as data services are characterised by their homogeneity, which is why compa...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
United Internet AG has the highest market share in the Internet provider sector. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including web hosting, cloud applic...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of United Internet AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Freenet AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Deutsche Telekom AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for United Internet AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Freenet AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Deutsche Telekom AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The increasing level of digitalisation over the years is benefiting the industry. An increase in the level of digitalisation is accompanied by an increase in demand for inter...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The profit margin of the individual industry players can vary greatly depending on the business model. Industry players acting as internet providers achieve far higher profit...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany in 2025?
The market size of the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany is €13.3bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany in 2025?
There are 1,840 businesses in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany?
The Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany?
The Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 4.4 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany are United Internet AG, Freenet AG and Deutsche Telekom AG
What does the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany include?
Sale of mobile services and Sale of fixed network services are part of the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany is United Internet AG.
How competitive is the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Telecommunications Resellers industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
