Half-year results 2026
- Normalised EBITDA increases by 1.8% to EUR 86.4 million; reported EBITDA increases by 68.6% to EUR 101.6 million
- Total revenue of EUR 209.2 million virtually stable compared with the prior-year period (-0.6% YoY); slight growth in the second quarter after adjusting for the portfolio effect
- Capital Expenditure (CapEx, excluding leasing) in the first half of 2026 amounted to EUR 36.8 million, 50.8% below the prior-year period – selective capital allocation with a focus on fiber-optic networks and network modernisation
- Internet RGUs as of June 30, 2026, at 707k; positive operational development of the customer base in the second quarter, adjusted for the portfolio effect
Berlin, September 3, 2026. Tele Columbus AG, one of Germany’s leading fiber network operators, today published its results for the first half of 2026. Adjusted for the effect of the divestment of a strategically non-material equity investment, the company’s stable operational performance continued.
Christoph Lüthe, CEO of Tele Columbus AG: “Our operational growth continued in the first half of 2026. The internet and telephony business is performing well, and our transformation and efficiency measures are improving profitability. At the same time, we are making targeted investments in fiber and network infrastructure, thereby laying the foundations for further growth.”
Internet and telephony business remains the growth driver
In the second quarter of 2026, revenues from internet and telephony rose to EUR 60.1 million, up from EUR 58.6 million in the previous year (+2.6% YoY). As of June 30, 2026, internet RGUs stood at around 707k. The reported development compared with the end of 2025 was largely influenced by the portfolio effect. Adjusted for this effect, the internet customer base developed positively in the second quarter. Around half of all new customers opted for products offering speeds of at least 500 Mbit/s. In households served by FTTH, internet penetration stood at around 44%, significantly above the level in the coax-based footprint, at around 30%.
TV business shaped by market and portfolio effects
Developments in the TV business in the first half of 2026 were shaped by ongoing market changes and the portfolio effect resulting from the divestment of a strategically non-material equity investment. As of June 30, 2026, cable TV RGUs stood at around 934k and premium TV RGUs at around 435k. Adjusted for these effects, the customer base developed largely in line with current market trends in the second quarter.
Fiber-optic expansion and profitability
Fiber-optic coverage increased by two percentage points in the first half of 2026 to 27% of the company’s own footprint. Investments (CapEx, excluding leasing) amounted to EUR 36.8 million, compared with EUR 74.8 million in the same period of the previous year. Reported EBITDA increased – driven by the transformation and efficiency measures implemented, consistent discipline across key cost items and supported by one-off income from the divestment of a strategically non-material equity investment – to EUR 101.6 million, up from EUR 60.2 million (+68.6%). Normalised EBITDA increased by 1.8% to EUR 86.4 million.
Tim Rhönisch, CFO of Tele Columbus AG: “The development in normalised EBITDA shows that our cost and efficiency measures are taking effect. At the same time, we remain committed to disciplined capital allocation and the targeted expansion of our network infrastructure.”
Outlook for the 2026 financial year confirmed
For the 2026 financial year, Tele Columbus continues to expect a decline in revenue in the low double-digit million-euro range, primarily due to the divestment of the strategically non-material equity investment. Operational growth in the internet and telephony business is expected to continue, while revenue from business customers is expected to stabilise. Reported EBITDA is still expected to increase by a low to mid double-digit million-euro amount. Non-recurring expenses are expected to fall significantly. Capital Expenditure (CapEx) is expected to remain at a lower overall level than in the previous year; the focus remains on the customer-oriented expansion of the fiber-optic and HFC infrastructure, as well as on investments to support further customer growth.
