Results of the 4th quarter and annual financial statements 2025 of Tele Columbus AG
- Annual revenue nearly unchanged at EUR 422.7 million (-0.8% YoY), declines in the TV business largely offset by growth in internet and telephony business
- Normalised EBITDA 2025 at EUR 168.4m (-9.7% YoY) impacted by higher non-capitalised project expenses
- Reported EBITDA 2025 at EUR 128.1 million (-7.5% YoY)
- Revenue from internet and telephony customers increases by EUR 27.2 million to EUR 235.3 million (+13.1% YoY)
- Investments (CapEx) in financial year 2025 at EUR 173.9 million (-33.9% YoY) – selective investment focus on fiber optic and network infrastructure
- Gigabit-capable footprint expanded by 180,000 households; FTTH-connected households increased to 230,000 (2024: 188,000)
Berlin, May 21, 2026. Tele Columbus AG, one of Germany’s leading fiber network operators, today published its results for the fourth quarter and financial year 2025.
Christoph Lüthe, CEO of Tele Columbus AG since April 2026: “Tele Columbus showed a solid operational performance in 2025 despite a persistently challenging market environment. We are growing consistently upon our strengths – in the internet and telephony business on our own infrastructure. Overall, we have selectively expanded the footprint of our gigabit and fiber optic capabilities.”
Tele Columbus generated revenues of EUR 422.7 million in the financial year 2025 (-0.8% YoY). Revenue thus remained stable, in line with guidance. Growth in the internet and telephony segment continued in 2025: Revenues from internet and telephony customers increased to EUR 235.3 million (+13.1% YoY). In a still highly competitive broadband market, Tele Columbus was the only major provider in Germany to record consistent growth in the internet segment in 2025. The internet customer base increased to 742,000 RGUs in the reporting year (+5.7% YoY). Average revenue per user (ARPU) increased to EUR 21.31 from EUR 17.99 in the previous year (+18.5 % YoY). With the wholesale cooperation with 1&1 announced in May 2026, the marketing of the fiber optic network is expected to be expanded by approximately 1.2 million additional households over time.
TV business continues to be impacted by the elimination of cable TV fees from ancillary rental costs
The elimination of cable TV fees from ancillary rental costs, which has been in force since July 1, 2024, continued to affect the TV customer base in the 2025 financial year. Cable TV RGUs fell by 6% from 1.1 million to 1.03 million. The number of Premium TV subscribers was around 486k at the end of the year (2024: 508k).
The total customer base declined by 3.7% to 1.33 million customers – mainly due to the decline in the TV segment, while the number of internet customers continued to grow.
Investments with a selective focus on fiber optic and network infrastructure
Capital expenditure (CapEx) fell to EUR 173.9 million in the financial year 2025 compared to EUR 263.2 million in the previous year (-33.9% YoY) and was therefore below the originally expected level. The decline reflects, in particular, more selective investment management, the project mix and the final assessment of which project expenses qualify for capitalisation as part of the year-end closing process. Investments continued to focus on the expansion of the fiber optic infrastructure and the further modernisation of the existing network based on the DOCSIS 3.1 standard.
The number of FTTH-connected households was increased to around 230k (2024: 188k). The number of gigabit-capable households increased by a further 180k in total.
Normalised EBITDA impacted by higher non-capitalised project expenses
Normalised EBITDA amounted to EUR 168.4 million in the 2025 financial year, after EUR 186.6 million in the previous year (-9.7% YoY). This development was driven in particular by higher non-capitalised project expenses. In addition, a positive prior-year effect from the reversal of provisions for signal costs did not recur.
Reported EBITDA amounted to EUR 128.1 million in the 2025 financial year (-7.5% YoY). Positive effects from the absence of significant transformation and refinancing expenses in the previous year were partially offset by higher non-capitalised project expenses and restructuring expenses. Marketing expenses and legal and consulting expenses fell by EUR 10.7 million and EUR 13.8 million respectively, as key measures in connection with the TV bulk migration and the corporate transformation were largely completed.
