Q2 2026 freenet AG Earnings Call

August 13, 2026

Speaker #3: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the freenet Q2 conference call on the second quarter 2026 and half-year results. The conference is being recorded. Currently, all participants are in listen-only mode.

Operator: Ladies and Gentlemen, and welcome to the freenet AG Conference Call on the second quarter 2026 and H1 results. The conference is being recorded. Currently, all participants are in listen-only mode. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions. I will now hand over to Robin Harries, the CEO of freenet.

Speaker #3: After the presentation, there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions. I will now hand over to Robin Harries, the CEO of freenet, for Q2.

Speaker #4: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our Q2 earnings call. I'm very pleased with our performance in the first half of the year. Everything is moving in the right direction, and we see substantial growth opportunities ahead of us.

Robin Harries: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our Q2 earnings call. I am very pleased with our performance in the H1 of the year. Everything is moving in the right direction, and we see substantial growth opportunities ahead of us. In the H1 of 2026, we expanded our subscription base by 140,000, surpassing 10 million subscribers. I think this is an important milestone, which is very impressive and a clear statement to the strength of our sales organization. We can confirm our 2026 guidance. While others struggled in the H1 of the year, we were able to add 34,000 mobile subscribers and 35,000 IPTV subscribers and could increase our postpaid service revenue. We see progress in the integration of Mobilezone. This is progressing nicely, and this also broadens and expands our sales footprint and creates new opportunities for us.

Speaker #4: In the first half of 2026, we expanded our subscription base by 140,000, surpassing 10 million subscription subscribers. I think this is an important milestone, which is very impressive and a clear statement to the strength of our sales organization.

Speaker #4: We are on. Can confirm our 2026 guidance. While others struggled in the first half of the year, we were able to add 34,000 mobile subscribers and 35,000 IPTV subscribers, and could increase our postpaid and postpaid service revenue. We see progress in the integration of Mobilezone; this is progressing nicely, and this also broadens and expands our sales footprint and creates new opportunities for us.

Speaker #4: Waipu was strong again, nice contribution, and we could increase the adjusted EBITDA by almost 40% in the first half of the year. Besides this, also a solid subscriber growth.

Robin Harries: waipu.tv was strong again, nice contribution, and we could increase the adjusted EBITDA by almost 40% in the H1 of the year, and besides this, also a solid subscriber growth. Our top line grew almost 25% due to the acquisition of Mobilezone. This also reflects our broader business scale and shows that we have become much more important for the industry and for our partners. Our mobile business is still affected by the negative known MNO agreement effect. The negotiations are still ongoing. Nothing decided yet, but we are on it. We have, I would say, constructive discussions. Last week we were in Munich and talked to them again. So I think this is moving forward, and we are very pleased about the progress and strong execution.

Speaker #4: Our top line grew almost 25% due to the acquisition of Mobilezone. This also reflects our broader business scale and shows that we have become much more important for the industry and for our partners.

Speaker #4: Our mobile business is still affected by the negative known M&O agreement effect the negotiations are still ongoing nothing decided yet but we are on it we have I would say constructive discussions last week we were in Munich and talked to them again so I think this is moving forward and we are very pleased about the progress and strong execution in terms of our AI-first strategy we brought further applications live our AI voice bot we further scaled it and our AI buddy which is a tool for our telesales team and besides this we initiated initiated even more projects.

Robin Harries: In terms of our AI-first strategy, we brought further applications live: our AI voice bot, we further scaled it, and our AI buddy, which is a tool for our telesales team, and besides this, we initiated even more projects. All of this supports our full-year outlook for the rest of the year, and our dividend policy is unchanged. We have a very strong cash conversion, over 60%, which will translate into shareholder return. As we said, we have a minimum dividend of EUR 2 for the years 2026 to 2028, rising to expected EUR 2.3 in full-year 2028. And this might be even higher, the dividend. Let me provide more color on our mobile business. In the last quarter, in Q2, we grew 34,000 subscribers.

Speaker #4: All of this supports our full-year outlook for the rest of the year and our dividend policy is unchanged we have a very strong cash conversion over 60% and which will translate into shareholder return as we said we have a minimum dividend of 2 euro for the years 26 to 28 rising to expected 2.3 euro in full year 28 if we are if and this might be even even higher now the dividend.

Speaker #4: Let me provide more color on our mobile business. We grew in the last quarter—in Q2, we grew 34,000 subscribers. I think this is very solid, and when you look at our competitors and the market conditions, and besides this postpaid net adds, we could even grow stronger in terms of gross adds. Gross adds, where we could achieve plus 11% year over year. So our marketing and sales channels, they are strong; we are optimizing this, we are scaling this, we are very happy about the performance of our marketing and sales teams, and we are happy about our strong sales footprint, which has become even, even bigger with the acquisition of Mobilezone. You can buy freenet products in a huge variety of platforms, and I think this is, it's really, really encouraging—the progress that we see in terms of marketing and sales.

Robin Harries: I think this is very solid, when you look at our competitors and the market conditions. Besides this, postpaid net adds, we could even grow stronger in terms of gross adds where we could achieve +11% year-over-year. Our marketing and sales channels, they are strong. We are optimizing this, we are scaling this. We are very happy about the performance of our marketing and sales teams, and we are happy about our strong sales footprint has become even bigger with the acquisition of Mobilezone. You can buy freenet products in a huge variety of platforms, and I think it's really encouraging, the progress that we see in terms of marketing and sales. Besides this, we could also increase our postpaid service revenues by 0.7%. As you know, we see ARPU decline. This started in 2024 when the market was very competitive.

Speaker #4: Besides this we could also increase our postpaid service revenues by 0.7% and as you know we see RPU decline so this started in 24 when the market was very competitive prices went down a lot in 24 and 25 however we could stabilize it it started in the end of last year and in the first half of 26 again we could increase the front book pricing by 1% you might think 1% is not so much but if you consider the the negative trend in the last two years I think this is a strong sign and it's very positive development it has become a value over volume game and not only by us also by our competitors so and we are confident that this trend will go on so therefore I would say the outlook is also encouraging.

Robin Harries: Prices went down a lot in 2024 and 2025. However, we could stabilize it. It started in the end of last year and in the H1 of 2026. Again, we could increase the front book pricing by 1%. You might think 1% is not so much, but if you consider the negative trend in the last two years, I think this is a strong sign, and it's a very positive development. It has become a value over volume game, and not only by us, also by our competitors. We are confident that this trend will go on. Therefore, I would say the outlook is also encouraging. If you look at the right graph, you can see our postpaid reselling business, and we also generated over 350,000 postpaid subscribers for our partners.

Speaker #4: If you look at the right graph, you can see our postpaid reselling business, and we also generated over 350,000 postpaid subscribers for our partners. All of this, together with our own customer base, shows how important we are in the industry and how we develop as a strong partner for the network providers within the industry.

Robin Harries: All of this, together with our own customer base, shows how important we are in the industry and how we develop as a strong partner for the network providers within the industry. Let me also talk a little bit about the levers to steer the quality of our growth. Price discipline is important. We have started this, we are doing this, we will keep doing this. Value is more important than volume. If we steer this through our different brands, we have our premium brand, which is freenet, and this is also where we put our money. We invest into our premium brand, freenet. We will also put more focus on bundles in the following months. This has also a positive impact on the ARPU. We will further develop and optimize our customer base.

Speaker #4: Let me also talk a little bit about the levers to steer the quality of our growth price discipline is important so we have started this we are doing this we will keep doing this value is more important than volume and it's we steer this through our different brands we have our premium branch which is free net and this is also where we put our money we invest into our premium brand free net this is we will also put more focus on bundles in the following months this has also positive impact on the RPU and we will further develop and optimize our customer base we have started it last year with a huge project with over 50 initiatives we could already finalize some of them but we are still also working on on many other initiatives and the impact.

Robin Harries: We have started it last year with a huge project with over 50 initiatives. We could already finalize some of them. We are still also working on many other initiatives and the impact. The return of all of this, we will expect the first positive returns the H2 of the year and then also in 2027 and the following years. One huge opportunity is our brand, freenet, itself. When you look at unaided brand awareness, we are still far behind our competitors. If you look at unaided brand awareness, we are around 10. If you compare this, for example, with 1&1, our competitors, they are around 50. This is important because the stronger your brand is, the more people will come to you directly, and you don't have to pay for them. That's why we keep investing into our brand.

Speaker #4: So the return of all of this we expect this the first we will expect the first positive returns the second half of the year and then also in 27 and the following years one huge opportunity is our brand free net itself when you look at unaided brand awareness we are still far behind our competitors if you look at unaided brand awareness we are around 10 if you compare this for example with one and one our competitors they are around 50 yeah and this is important because the stronger your brand is the more people will come to you directly and you don't have to pay for them so that's why we keep investing into our brand we relaunched the free net.de domain in the beginning of the year we've already had several TV campaigns and brand marketing campaigns for free net and the more you invest into the brand you will create compounding effects and we believe that there will be a positive returns in the following months and also next year we see that this works yeah we see this immediately with through stronger traffic on our web shops through higher conversion rates and through positive impacts on our RPU because if you convince people that you have great products they come to you you don't have to pay for them and they go to you directly without searching you also have a possibility to to sell something for a really reasonable price so our ambition 28 for the mobile is to to yeah to keep growing our customer base supported by an AI first operating model yeah so we want to grow profitably and want to generate a lot of cash.

Robin Harries: We relaunched the freenet.de domain in the beginning of the year. We've already had several TV campaigns and brand marketing campaigns for freenet. The more you invest into the brand, you will create compounding effects, and we believe that there will be positive returns in the following months and also next year. We see that this works. We see this immediately through stronger traffic on our web shops, through higher conversion rates, and through positive impacts on our ARPU. Because if you convince people that you have great products, they come to you don't have to pay for them, and they go to you directly without searching. You also have a possibility to sell something for a really reasonable price. Our Ambition 2028 for the mobile is to keep growing our customer base, supported by an AI-first operating model.

Robin Harries: We want to grow profitability and want to generate a lot of cash. Now let me provide more color on our IPTV business. We saw healthy growth in the H1 of the year. Q2 was also solid with 35,000 subscribers. We could add a new wholesale partner, DNS:NET. This is also important. We are happy about the start into the year, and we believe that the performance in the H2 of the year will be even stronger. As you know, through the soccer championship and one of our competitors, it will be invested heavily into the market, into marketing campaigns. We experience this, even so, we could still grow in the market. We believe that this was also good for the market, that the competitor invested into it, and it helped to shift people from traditional TV to IPTV.

Robin Harries: On the right-hand side, you can see our targeted advertising. We have already over 1 billion impression per month, and 500 million is marketed by our partners, 750 by us, by waipu.tv. The impressions, they go up. We are happy about this development, and overall, it's a healthy business that goes into the right direction. On the next slide, you can see a study which highlights the IPTV penetration in the market, and we've always said this, that the market itself, it's a huge opportunity, and you can see this here really clearly. The IPTV penetration in Germany is less than 20%, 18%. If you compare this with other markets, for example, France, where it's 60%, Spain it's 40%, Belgium 35%. I think it's obvious that it's a huge opportunity in the market.

Robin Harries: We have a leading product, I would say the best product in the German market, and we have strong partners. Just by growing with the market, you can get a glimpse about the potential in this company. Besides this, we also have good marketing campaigns. We have trained our mothers, and we know how to acquire customers. We proved this in the H1 of the year. Again, we could also grow stronger, but it's also here in the IPTV business, value is important, not only volume. We found, I would say, a very healthy mix where we could show that we grew the customer base, and could show a solid growth. Besides this, we really could improve the adjusted EBITDA a lot, and which is important.

Robin Harries: We always say we want to grow the customer base, but besides this, we also want to have a cash-generating business, and that is why we are improving the profitability step by step. First big step was last year where we could increase it to over EUR 30 million, and now we are doing this again and are on a path here. On the next slide, you can see two of our AI applications. One is Finn, it is an AI voice bot, and we started the first test in March this year. We keep scaling this, and we are very, very happy about the results so far. Finn is already able to solve customer requests whenever he is live with over 10%.

Robin Harries: Over 10% of the calls that he gets, or we lead over 10% of the calls, we already lead to Finn if he is live, and then he is able to really solve the problems. The customers are happy about it, and that is just the first step. The potential in the AI voice bot is strong, and we are very confident that we can, within the next month, we will keep scaling this, and then that we will be able to solve even more customer requests. On the right-hand side, you can see our telesales AI buddy. It is a tool for our telesales agents that helps them to have a really 360-degree customer view. We have guided conversation, we have transcripted calls, and we have AI-based offers. The agents get recommendations from AI, what they shall offer the customers. This leads to higher conversion rates, makes it much more effective.

Robin Harries: We already have the first call centers where we roll out the telesales AI buddy, and we will keep rolling it out. Besides this, we are working on many other AI applications and features, agentic e-commerce. We will further strengthen our footprint here. This makes a lot of sense because if you look at our product offerings, we have offers in all networks, in all German telco networks for very good prices, and you can book directly with us. This makes a lot of sense to integrate it into all kind of LLMs. We are already doing this. We will further strengthen our footprint here. Besides this, we already started a project where we bring AI into our stores.

Robin Harries: We have over 500 retail stores in Germany, and we will improve our IT there as well, enable our sales staff on the ground with really very good AI tools that help them to sell more. I think that will be good for the customers, it will be good for us. We are progressing in terms of AI development. When we look at our webshops, this is something that we are testing to test or to create front-end faster with AI, to test faster with AI. We have many brands, many webshops, so therefore this is also a very nice and very interesting project. With that overview, I hand over to Ingo Arnold, our CFO, for the financial update.

Ingo Arnold: Yeah. Thank you, Robin. Good morning, everybody, from my side. I start with an overview about the group results in this H1 of the year. Maybe a little bit surprising, but we are very happy with the performance, what we saw, even if we see some minus symbols on this overview here. Starting with the revenue, there is a strong increase. This is, from my point of view, not that impressive because we acquired Mobilezone and we acquired a lot of hardware sales, what we are doing here. This is the increase, even less impressive because as you all know, with hardware sales, the margin is not as high as in the business, what we do in the subscription business. On the gross profit side, there is a minus symbol, but if you correct it by the unfavorable MNO agreement, it is a plus of 3%.

Ingo Arnold: I think this is the proof that the underlying business is totally working fine. It is the same on the EBITDA level here, because if you would correct it by the unfavorable MNO agreement, then also there would be an increase of 3% in the EBITDA. Underlying trends are quite fine. In free cash flow, it is even better, with the EUR 155 million what we do have. It is slightly lower than last year. I will explain the details later on. All in, the results what we have here, from my point of view, it is a clear confirmation that the underlying business is not only okay, but it is growing. Moving to the revenues. Here in mobile, we have the same picture what we have on the group level. We see a strong increase from the acquisition of Mobilezone.

Ingo Arnold: What is more relevant is the service revenue, and Robin was already discussing it earlier. It is a slight increase what we see, but in an environment where we see decreasing ARPUs, I think it is a big success to more than compensate the decreasing ARPU by additional customers. I think this is quite fine. In the IPTV business here, what you see, the most relevant one is not only the subscription business or the subscription revenue, but also the targeted advertising revenue. Again, here you see an increase of nearly 10%. 50% would be even nicer, but of something near to 10%. What you also see is that in the other revenues, you see a decrease from 6.6 to 2.1. As usual, the other revenues or the other parts of the business normally are not that important.

Ingo Arnold: Here we have a special effect, and I think it is the whole media barter topics and all what I heard is that Tim has discussed it with some of you in depth yesterday evening. I would say it is more prominent than necessary, because at the end of the day, these media barter revenues, which do have an effect in the gross profits, does not have any effect in the EBITDA. Therefore, yes, we see it here on the revenue level, the decrease by EUR 4 million based on this missing media barter business, but this does not have any implication on the profit of the business. Moving to the gross profit page here. We see on the mobile side, I think we do not only have the effect from the unfavorable MNO agreement.

Moving to the gross profit page here.

Ingo Arnold: We do also see that the benchmark from 2025 was really high because in Q2 2025, we received some additional payments from one of the network operators. This is normal business. You have these quarters where you have additional commissions. Then there are quarters when these commissions are missing. This is no sign of any change in the quality of the business. But yeah, definitely Q2 2025 was much higher. Also, if you compare it with Q1 2025. So long discussion, short result. The gross profit compared to the last quarter is lower. But I think even here we are on a good way to reach our targets. If you see it on the H1 base, you see that the gross profit in mobile is relatively stable.

Um we see on on the mobile side. Yeah, I think we we do not only have the the effect from the uh from the unfavorable M and O agreement. We do also see that the Benchmark from 2025 was was really high because we in in the second quarter of 25, we received some additional payments from from 1 of the network operators.

Ingo Arnold: What you can also see is that the gross profit margin is stable compared to Q1. In IPTV, in gross profit, here again, first focus on the ongoing, on the subscription, and on the advertising business here. You see the increase, what you already saw in Q1. It is repeating in Q2 here. All in, this gross profit is increasing from EUR 38 million to EUR 43 million. If you look just only in the valuable parts of the business, you still see that we have an underlying gross profit margin of something like 40%, which is very promising for this business. On the other hand, if you look into the other parts of the gross profit here, I was already discussing the EUR 4 million effect from the media barter. There is one other effect.

Compared to the last quarter is, is, is lower. Um, but um, I think we are here in in even here. We are in the on a good way to reach our targets. And if you see it on the half here base, you see that the gross profit in Mobile is relatively stable or what? You can also see is that uh that the gross profit margin is stable compared compared to the first quarter.

In ipv in gross profit.

Ingo Arnold: There is a revaluation of the inventory of the business, and we had to do a correction of EUR 1.4 million. I think in the best case, we would have done it already at the end of 2025, but, I think we had to do it now, and this is the correction of EUR 1.4 million, which will be also seen on the EBITDA side. Then there was just a reclassification for EUR 2.3 million, which is shown here in the gross profit, but which is unrelevant for the EBITDA. I think it makes it a little bit intransparent that we have these one-off effects here. But hopefully, especially with the chart above, it is clear that the underlying business is fully healthy and growing. Moving to the adjusted EBITDA. Yeah, I think on a half-year basis, we normalized it in these boxes.

Here again, first Focus, um, on the on, on the ongoing, on the subscription and on the on the advertising business here, you see the increase what you already saw in the in the first quarter. Uh it's repeating in the second quarter here. All in uh this gross profit is increasing from 38 million to 43 million and if if you if you look just only in the in the valueable parts of the business, you still see that we have a underlying gross profit margin of something like 40%, uh, which is, which is very promising for this business on the other hand. Uh, if if you look into the other parts of the gross profit here, I was already discussing the form million effect from the media barter uh there is 1 uh other effect. Uh there

See, uh, uh, re-evaluation of the, uh, inventory, uh, of the business. And, uh, there we we had to do a correction of 1.4 million, um, I think in a, in a best case we would already done, we would have done it already at the end of 25. But uh I think uh we had to do it now and this is the the correction of 1.4 million which will be also seen on on the ebta side. Um and then there was a just a reclassification for 2.3 million which is shown here in the in the gross profit but which is unreliable for the ebta. So I think it makes it a little bit intransparent that we have these 1 of effects here but hopefully especially with the with the

Uh with the chart above uh it is clear that the underlying business is uh is fully uh healthy and growing great.

Ingo Arnold: We normalized the effect from the unfavorable MNO contract and from the negative provisions, what we had to build here. You see, if we would not have done it, then we would have a stable mobile business, a stable EBITDA. I think this in our eyes, with a stable, slightly increasing service revenue. So underlying, it is quite fine. It is not growing. This could be critics, but it is totally stable. We have all these initiatives, what Robin was describing before. So we are still very optimistic for the future here. Moving to the IPTV EBITDA here. Also here, we see the increase compared to last year. We see the special effect of EUR 1.4 million from the catch-up in the inventory valuation. But all in, it is all as we expected also here in the IPTV business.

Moving to the adjusted ebitda. Um, uh, yeah. We, we see, I think we on a, on a half year basis, we, we normalize it in these boxes. Uh, we, we normalize the effect from the, uh, unfavorable m&o contract, and from the, uh, from, from the negative.

Uh Provisions. What we had to build here and you see if we would not have done it, then we would have a stable mobile business. A stable ebta and I think this is this is in our eyes with a stable slightly increasing Service uh service Revenue. So underlying it's quite fine, it's not growing.

Uh, this, uh, could be critics. But, uh, it's totally stable and we have all these initiatives that Robin was describing before. So we are still very optimistic for the future here.

Uh, moving to the IP EBITDA here.

Also here.

Ingo Arnold: I think on the subscription side, it was quite fine the Q2. But in the back of with the World Cup, we expected slightly more. I think for the H2, we are still positive here, to reach our target also in subscription terms. Moving to the cash flow bridge. I already said, it is a positive surprise that it is that good. It is EUR 155 million in the H1. We see a positive effect from the change in working capital, because there were some MNO bonus payments, where we had a very positive phasing in the H1. All in, the negative from the change in net working capital is EUR 5.6 million. If you look into the yearly bridge, you see that we expected to have EUR -40 million here.

Um, we we see the increase compared to last year. We see the special effect of 1.4 million from the uh, catch up in the, in the, in the, in the inventory valuation. Um, but all in it is all as we expected also here in the ipv business. Um, and um, yeah, I think we on on the, on the, on the subscription side. Um, we were, I think it it was quite fine. The second quarter but, uh, in for uh, in the back of, with the World Cup, we expected slightly more. But, um, yeah, I think

For the second half, we are still positive here, uh, to reach our target. Also, in subscription terms,

Um, moving to the cash flow, uh, to the Cash Flow Bridge.

Ingo Arnold: Maybe I would say I would be a little bit more optimistic on the working capital side. From today's point of view, it is too early. I think we have to wait and see how the H2 of the year will work with the inventories, et cetera, in the Black Week and the Christmas business. There are still some risks. It is too early to change anything. But the working capital development in the H1 definitely is promising. From the taxes, something comparable. The prepayments, what we have to do, we expected to get some statements from the tax authorities earlier. Because definitely our prepayments for taxes have to be higher because the tax loss carry-forwards get smaller and smaller. This is something what we discussed separately. But as long as the tax authorities does not ask us to do anything.

155 million in the first half. Um, we see a positive effect from the change in working capital, um, because, um, there was some mno pay bonus payments which where we had a very positive phasing in the first half. Um, all in the, the negative from the change in networking capital is 5.6 million. Um, yeah. And and if you look into the yearly Bridge, you see that we expected to have minus 400 million here.

Yeah, so maybe I I I would say I would be a little bit more optimistic on the, on the working capital side from today's point of view, it is too early. I think we have to wait and see how the second half of the year will work, uh, with the inventories Etc, uh, in the in the black week and the Christmas business. So, there are still some risks, so it is too early to change anything but um, yeah, the working capital development in the first half. Definitely is promising uh from the taxes uh, something comparable. So uh,

Uh, the prepayments—what we have to do. Uh, we expected to, uh, to get, um,

Some, uh, some some statements from the, from the tax offer authorities earlier, uh, because definitely, our pre pre payments for taxes have to have to be higher. Uh, because um,

Ingo Arnold: There is also a change, but it is only a phasing, definitely. For the other parts of the bridge here, in the H1 of the year, we spend a little bit more in CapEx, especially on the Media Broadcast digital radio side. It is a question what will happen here in the H2 of the year. I think we have forecasted EUR 45 million for the whole year as CapEx. I think this is still what I would expect from today's point of view. No surprises in lease payments and in interest. Interest are slightly higher than last year because of the acquisition of Mobilezone. We have a more debt volume and therefore higher interest rates. But all in, more positive surprises here than any negative surprises. Moving to the guidance. We confirm the guidance for the full year.

We the the tax loss Terry forwards gets smaller and smaller. This is something what we discussed separately. Um, but as long as the tax authorities, does not ask us to do anything. So it's there's also a chance but it's only a phasing definitely for the other parts of the of the bridge here. Yeah. In the, in the first half of the year, we, we we spend a little bit more in capex, especially on the media Broadcast Digital radio side. So it's, it's a question. What will happen here in the in the second half of the year? I think we have forecasted 45 million for the whole year as capex.

Yeah. And then I think this is still, this is still what I would expect from today's point of view; no surprises in lease payments and in interests. Interests are slightly higher than last year because, uh, of the acquisition of Mobilezone. Uh, we have a more, uh, debt volume and therefore higher interest rates. But all in, um, more positive surprises here than—than...

Any negative surprises? Moving on to the guidance?

Ingo Arnold: We know that we have some challenges still in the H2 of the year. The easy math would not work just to double what we had in the H1 of the year on EBITDA level. But I think we did another forecast internally here, and we still see a lot of chances here to reach the guidance. I think we have to wait how the H2 will work and how the business will continue to go. But we still see very good chances to read the corridors, even in mobile and also in IPTV. We are optimistic on an EBITDA level, on a free cash flow level anyway. Even on a linear base, we are even on top of the guidance. I do not see any problems here.

Uh, we confirm the guidance for the full year. We know that we have—

There are still some challenges in the second half of the year. The easy math would not work—just doubling what we had in the first half of the year on EPA level.

Uh, but um, I think we did another forecast internally here and, uh, we, we still see a lot of chances here, to, to reach the guidance. So, um, I think we, we have to wait how the second half will will will work. And how it, how, how, how, how, how the business will will, uh, continue to go. But it is, it is still we still see very good chances to reach the the corridors, uh, even in Mobile and also in, uh, in in ipv. And, uh, so yeah, we are

We are, we are optimistic on. The eua level on a free cash flow level. Anyway, uh, we are, uh, on even on a linear base. We are on a even on top of the guidance.

Ingo Arnold: And with subs and postpaid customers, I think postpaid customers, I do not see any problem to reach the guidance in the IPTV segment. Yes, we need a good H2. But we have seen from that business that it was performing good in the H2, especially in Q4. Therefore it's not clear if it works. But, yeah, also here, if we do what we did in the past, this is still possible. I think Magenta was very aggressive in Q2. We have to wait and see how they react in Q4 and in the H2 of the year. I think there are still chances. Yeah, I'm optimistic. On a full picture, I'm optimistic, but yeah, it is ambitious. It was an ambition from the start of the year ongoing.

So, I do not see any problems here with subs and postpaid customers.

I think postpaid customers.

I do not see any problem, uh, to reach the guidance, uh, in, in the ipv segments. Uh, yes. We we need a good second half. Um, but we we have seen from that business. That it was performing good in the second half, especially in the in the fourth quarter. So this therefore it's, it's

Ingo Arnold: But, yeah, I see good chances here, so there is no reason not to confirm the guidance. This is from a financial side, a short overview. I hand over to the operator and ask you to start the Q&A.

Was very aggressive in the, in the second quarter. We have to wait and see how they react in the, in the fourth quarter and the second half of the year. And, um, I think there are still chances and, um, yeah, I'm optimistic, full in on a full picture. I'm optimistic, but it's, yeah, it is ambition, it is an ambition, it was an ambition from the start of the year ongoing. But, um, yeah, I, I see good chances here, and so there is no reason not to confirm the guidance.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star nine and pound key on your telephone keypad. If you would like to revoke your question, press star three and pound key. You can also use the dial-in function in the webcast and raise your hand if you would like to ask a question by phone. We already have a few questions in the line. The first question is from Joshua Mills, BNP Paribas. Please go ahead.

So, this is, uh, from a financial side, a short overview. So, I hand over, uh, to the operator and ask you to start the Q&A.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question, please press star 9 and the pound key on your telephone keypad. If you would like to revoke your question, press star 3 and the pound key. You can also use the dial-in function in the webcast and raise your hand if you would like to ask a question by phone.

So, we already have a few questions in the queue. The first question is from Joshua Mills at BNP Paribas. Please go ahead.

Joshua Mills: Hi, guys, and thank you for taking the question. My first question is just around the ongoing negotiations with your MNO partners and specifically the MNO partner which canceled their, or changed their reseller agreement with you at the end of the year. You've said that those talks are ongoing. It sounds like you're still optimistic of a positive outcome. But can I just push a bit harder on why is it taking a bit longer than you might have expected? Specifically, what kind of terms are you negotiating around? Is it volume? Is it price? Where's the sticking point? Then finally, if we are able to see you re-sign this MNO contract, let's say in Q4 this year, would it still have a positive impact on your guidance and free cash flow for 2026? Or is it only going to really impact from 2027 onwards?

Joshua Mills: So that is the first question. Second question, which is around the competitive environment in Germany. You mentioned that Magenta had been quite aggressive in Q2. Are you seeing any other changes in commercial trends or promotional activity from the likes of Vodafone and Telefónica? Thank you.

Hi guys, and thank you for, um, taking the question. Um, my question. Uh, my first question is just around the ongoing negotiations with, um, your mno partners and specifically, the mno partner, which um, canceled their or changed. Their reseller agreement with you at the end of the year, um, you've said that those talks are ongoing, it sounds like you're still optimistic or positive outcome, but can I just push a bit harder on? You know, why is it taking a bit longer than you might have expected specifically, what kind of terms are you negotiating around? Is it volumes? Is it price? Um, you know, where's the sticking point? And finally, if we are able to see you resign, this m contracts. Um, let's say, in Q4 this year, would it still have a positive impact on your guidance as we cash flow for 2026? Or is it only going to really impact from 2027 onwards? Um, so that's the first question.

Second question, which is around the competitive environment in Germany: you mentioned that Magenta had been quite aggressive in the second quarter. Are you seeing any other changes in commercial trends or promotional activity from the likes of Vodafone and Telefonica? Thank you.

Robin Harries: Sure. Thanks for your two questions. Happy to take them. First one related to the MNO partner. Yes, we are still optimistic that we believe we have a fair chance that there will be, in the end, a positive outcome for freenet. Why does it take longer or long? I think it is normal for a contract or agreement of that size with that volume, that it takes some time. It is complex, it is complicated business. In the end, we have the objective to close a fair agreement with a winning situation for both partners. I believe it is possible to do a great deal here. But it takes some time, but we are on it. We have regular meetings. As I said, last week, we met them on the ground. We are in ongoing constructive discussions, and we are still optimistic.

Thanks for your 2 questions. Happy to take them first, 1 related to, um, the mno partner. So yes, we are still optimistic. That um, we we believe we have a fair chance that there will be. Um, the end there will be a positive outcome for frite.

Um, so why does it take, um,

Longer or long. Yeah, so I think it's, um, it's normal, um, for a contract or agreement of that size, with that volume, that it takes some time. It's, um, complex; it's complicated business, um, in the end. Um, so we have the objective to...

Robin Harries: I cannot talk about details, this new agreement, because we do not share this. You also ask if there will be a positive impact this year. This depends on the agreement. It is still too early to talk about it. But, we will let you know as soon as we have something concrete here. The second question was related to the market environment, and I think the market moves into a healthy direction. You could see, for example, in Q2, that competitors of us, they increased prices. This is something that we could also see from time to time in the past. But this time, I think it is different because even though there was strong pressure on their customer growth, and you could see it if you look at the Q2 results of our competitors. They did not change the way. So they did not start to decrease prices again.

Yeah, to close a fair agreement with the women's situation for both Partners. I believe it's it's possible to, to do a great deal here and but it's, um, it takes some time, but we are on it. Yeah. So we have, um, regular meetings, as I said last last week, we went, we met them on the ground. Yeah. So and um, see where we are in in ongoing constructive discussions. Um, and we are still optimistic. Um, I cannot talk about details about the um, that are um um, about details, this new agreement and because we don't don't share this.

Um, you are also asked if there will be a positive impact this year. So this depends on the agreement. Um it's um still to to early to talk about it. Um but um yeah we will let you know as soon as we have something concrete here

The second question was related to the

Um Market environment and I think yeah the the market is goes into or moves into a healthy direction. You could see for example in Q2 that market is that competitors of us, they increased prices and

I mean, this is something that we could.

I think it's different because, um, even though there was—

Robin Harries: I think that is a really good sign. So they accept that they lost customers, but they stick to the policy and increase prices and keep the prices, and that is a really good sign. That is also what we did. So we started to increase prices relatively early, even earlier than our competitors. But if you look at the price levels, they are stable. It is not that there is a broad price increase for all mobile plan tariffs, but you can see it in special offers that the prices do not go further down, and sometimes they even go up. I hope this answered your questions.

Strong pressure on their customer growth and you could see it if you look at the Q2 results of our competitors they they they didn't change the way. Yeah. So they they didn't start to decrease prices again. Yeah. And I think that's a, that's a really good sign. Yeah. So they they accept that they lost customers but they stick to the policy and increase prices and keep the prices. And that's a, that's a really good sign and that's also what we did. So we started

To increase prices, um, relatively early—even earlier than our competitors. But if you look at the price levels, they are stable. Yeah. And from...

It's not that there is a broad, um, price increase for all, um, mobile plan tariffs. But you can see it in special offers—that the prices don't go further down, and sometimes they even go up.

Joshua Mills: Okay. Very clear. Thank you.

Yeah, I hope this answered your questions.

Okay, very good. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. The next question goes to Polo Tang from UBS. Please go ahead.

Thank you. The next question goes to Polo Tang from UBS. Please go ahead.

Polo Tang: Hi. Thanks for taking the question. I have got three. Just circling back in terms of competitive dynamics, but maybe coming from a different angle. All the operators, apart from Deutsche Telekom, are seeing weaker mobile net adds. What do you think is actually happening with market growth in terms of postpaid subscribers, and who do you think is taking share? Second question is really just about EBITDA growth or the phasing of EBITDA growth. You were down 5% in terms of EBITDA in H1. To reach the midpoint of guidance that is broadly stable for the full year, I think you need around about 5% EBITDA growth in the second half. Can you talk about the main drivers to get that improvement in EBITDA in the second half? My third question is really just about waipu.tv.

Um, hi, thanks for taking the question. Um, I've got three, um, just circling back in terms of competitive dynamics, but maybe coming from a different angle. All the operators, apart from Deutsche Telekom, are seeing weaker mobile net adds. So what do you think is actually happening with market growth in terms of postpaid subscribers, and who do you think is taking share?

Polo Tang: You have reiterated the ambition in terms of 3 million subscribers by 2028, but that does imply more than doubling of the current run rate in terms of net adds. What do you see as the main driver to get that step up in terms of waipu.tv net adds, and will this involve more marketing spend? I am just wondering if you can deliver both accelerating subscriber growth at waipu.tv and also higher levels of EBITDA at waipu. Thanks.

Second question is really just about an ebit, dog growth, or the phasing of ebit, dog growth. So you're down 5% in terms of ebit dining H1. So, to reach the midpoint of guidance, that is broadly stable for the full year. I think you need round about 5% ebit dog, written in the second half. So, can you talk about the main drivers to get that Improvement and Eve that in the second half my third question is really just about why 2 TV. So you've reiterated the, the ambition, in terms of 3 million subscribers by 2028. But that doesn't imply a more than doubling of the current run rate in terms of net ads. So what do you see as the main driver to, to kind of get that step up in terms of why put TV net ads and will this involve more marketing spend? So, I'm just wondering if you can deliver, both accelerating, uh, subscriber growth at ybt and also higher levels of our of e bit dark.

At uh, at YP, thanks.

Robin Harries: Hello, Paulo. Thanks for your question. Happy to take the first question and the third question. The first question was related also to the competitive environment and what actually moves market or if the market is growing. When you look, our competitors lost, I mean, beside Telekom, they were strong, and Telefónica, they also grew, and then the other two, they lost customers. If you look at the market overall, I think there is opportunity in, for example, family card or second cards. This is something where Telekom has been strong. I think the others are also doing this. We are doing this. So this is a potential for further growth in the market, so that you start to sell customers. And we are doing this.

Robin Harries: Hello, Polo. Thanks for your question. Happy to take the first question and the third question. The first question was related also to the competitive environment and what actually moves market or if the market is growing. When you look, our competitors lost, I mean, beside Telekom, they were strong, and Telefónica, they also grew, and then the other two, they lost customers. If you look at the market overall, I think there is opportunity in, for example, family card or second cards. This is something where Telekom has been strong. I think the others are also doing this. We are doing this. So this is a potential for further growth in the market, so that you start to sell customers. And we are doing this.

Hello, Paulo. Thanks for your question. I’m happy to take the first and the third questions. The first question was related to the competitive environment and what actually moves the market, or if the market is growing.

Um, so when you look, I mean, yes, our competitors also lost.

I mean, besides, they were strong, uh, and Telefónica. They also grew, and then the other two, they lost customers. If you look at the market overall, um, I think there is, um, um, opportunity in

In, um, for example, the family card or second cards. Yeah, so—and this is something where antilo has been strong. Um, I think the others are also doing this; we are doing this. So, this is a potential for further growth in the market. Yeah. So that you start to...

Customers.

Robin Harries: In terms of freenet, if you look at the market opportunity, I think we are in a very good position because it makes a lot of sense to go to freenet and buy your mobile phone or your mobile plans there, because actually you have choice, you have a variety of networks, and you get it for a very good price. Our prices are very competitive. And if you are a customer with freenet, you are in a very good position, because even if you want to switch networks or with your next contract, we can offer everything to you. And that, I think from the product, from the offering, I think we are in an advanced position, and this allows us, I would say, to grow stronger than the competition. Even though there's a Telekom and they have a very strong brand.

And we are doing this, um, in terms of freenet, if you look at the market of the Trinity. Um, I think we are in a very good position because it makes a lot of sense to go to freenet and buy your mobile phone or your, um, mobile plans there because actually you have a choice. You have a variety of networks, um, and you get them, you get it for a...

Robin Harries: They really have branded fans, and the brand itself, it's very strong. That's why I also say are very strong in the market. Then let me answer the third question. waipu.tv is 3 million. Yes, we believe it's possible. If you look at the market itself, how it will develop. I showed a slide where you could see that the IPTV penetration in Germany is just 18%, and this is really much lower than France's 60%. The market itself, we believe, and also others believe, that this will grow. So the opportunity will grow. And even if you only grow with the market, you will see nice subscriber development. But on top of this, I really believe that we have a superior product. The product is strong. We have a wide range of channels. We integrated partners. And the user experience is really good.

Very good price. Yeah. Um, and it's our prices are very competitive and it. For if you are a customer with Free Net, you are in a very good position. Yeah. Because even if you want to switch networks or with your next contract. Yeah, we can offer everything to you. Yeah. And that I think from the product from the offering, I think we are in a advanced position and this allows us, I would say to grow stronger than the competition. Um, even though, yeah, there's a Dilo and they have a very, very strong brand. They have really have branded fans and the, the, the, the brand itself. It's, it's, it's very strong. So that's why I also, they are very strong in the market.

We believe it's, um, it's possible.

Robin Harries: We have a dedicated team only working on this. waipu is a meta product, independent meta product that makes a lot of sense, and we will keep investing into our brand. There's still a difference between the number one in the market, which is Magenta, and which is us, but also if you compare how much they invest into their marketing and then compare it with the amount that we invest, it's tiny. But even so, we are so strong in the market because of the strong product. I think we don't have to do crazy things in the next years to come. We will be very disciplined with our marketing investments. Our marketing budget is on a healthy level, and we are investing into brand marketing campaigns.

Um, if you look at, um, so the the market itself, how it will develop, I show the slide where you could see that. Um, the IP TV penetration in Germany is just 18%. And this is, this is really, it's, it's much lower than France is 60%. Yeah. So the market itself, um, we believe and also others believe that this will grow, so the opportunity will grow and even if you only grow as a market you will see nice, nice subscriber development. But on top of this, I really believe that we have a um, Superior product. A product is strong. Yeah, we have a, um, a wide range of, um, of of channels. Yeah. We have, we integrated Partners. Um, and the user experience is really good. We have a dedicated team only working on this. It's a, it's a woo, is a meta product. We are independent Meetup product that makes a lot of sense and we will keep investing into our brand. There's still a difference between

Um, the number 1 and the market, which is market and which is us. But also if you compare how much they invest into their marketing and then compare it with the amount that we invest it, it's tiny, but even though we are, um, we are so strong in the market because of the strong product. Yeah. And we will I I think we don't have to do crazy things in the in the next years to come, we will be very disciplined with our marketing Investments. Um, our marketing

Robin Harries: And so that is why we are quite confident that the combination of market development, the combination of the strong product, with good marketing, and then also with our revenue stream which is advertising, because it is not only subscribers where we earn our money, it is also the advertising business. And there we will further see development, because the more subscribers we have, the more impressions we have, the more impressions we can sell to advertisers. This will bring us in a better and better situation. And we believe that this will increase the revenues in both streams and will also lead to a nice EBITDA uplift in the next years. Now I hand over to Ingo for the second question.

The budget is at a healthy level. We are investing in brand marketing campaigns, and that's why we are quite confident that...

Ingo Arnold: Yeah, good morning. A follow-up. For the EBITDA phasing, I already mentioned that it is an ambition for the H2 of the year. But in mobile, on the one hand, I was discussing earlier the commissions, what we get in Q2 2025 from one of the networks, and that is typical for the business. So this could also happen in Q3 2026 or in Q4, and this will bring a step up in the H2. Do I have an agreement today? No, but we are in ongoing discussions with the networks, and so it could happen in the H2. So this is one point to increase the profit. On the other side, we were very generous in paying marketing in the H1 of the year.

That the combination of Market development, the combination of the strong product and with good marketing and then also with our um, Revenue stream um, which is um, advertising because it's not only um subscribers where we earn our money, it's also the advertising business and there we will further see development because the more subscribers we have the more Impressions we have the more Impressions we can sell to advertisers and this will bring us in a better and better situation. And and we believe that this will increase um the revenues in both streams and will also lead to um a a a nice gvda uplift in the next years. Now I hand over to Mingo for the second question. Good morning Paulo.

Um, for the EBA phasing. Yeah. I already mentioned that it. It is ambition. Uh, it is an ambition for the, for the second half of the year. But, um, in Mobile, uh, on on the 1 hand, uh, I I was discussing earlier, uh, the the

Ingo Arnold: And we still had to pay some brand marketing campaigns which were initiated from the former management. So some of them were finished in the last weeks. So even with the same performance, it will be possible to pay less on marketing. So I think these are the two parts. Definitely it will not be possible to change anything in the service revenues, because this is a slow-moving part. It is stable. We are happy that it is stable. But I think we have enough levers here to increase the results of the mobile business. On the other side, in the IPTV business, totally different situation. Here, we grow our profit along with the growth of the subscription base and subscriber base. So this is definitely therefore, it will be higher by definition in the H2.

The commissions what we get in the second quarter of 25 from uh from 1 of the networks. And that's a typical typical for the business. So this could also happen in the third quarter, 26, or in the fourth quarter. And this will bring a step up in the second half. Do I have an agreement today? No, but we are an ongoing discussions with the networks and so it, it could happen in in in the second half. So this is 1 point to to increase, uh, the, the profit on the other side. Uh, we were very generous in, in, in paying marketing uh um in the, in the first half of the year. So, um, and and we, we still had to pay some rent marketing campaigns, which were initiated from the, from the former management. So some of them, uh, were finished in in the last weeks. So, um,

Even with the same performance, it will be possible to to pay less on marketing. So I think these are the, the 2 parts definitely will not be possible to to, to to change anything in the, in the service revenues. Because this is a, this is a slow moving part. It is stable, we are happy that it is stable, but I think we have enough levers here uh to increase uh the results of the of the mobile business on the other side in

The IPTV business—uh, totally different situation.

Here, we grow our profit along with the growth of the subscription base. Um, and, uh,

Ingo Arnold: And what we do also have is, we were discussing these advertising revenues, what we generate. And in the Christmas business, in the Black Week, these advertising revenues are in a normal state, are much higher than in the H1 of the year. So here also, there are good chances to reach the guidance. And if we reach the guidance for mobile and for IPTV, definitely it will also be possible to reach the EBITDA guidance on a group level. But yeah, I said it is challenging, but in our forecast, we do still reach it.

Back week, these advertising revenues are...

Polo Tang: I'd like to circle back on Robin's answer in terms of the mobile market. I've heard the comment in terms of value over volume, but do you think overall market volume growth is slowing, Robin?

in in, in know, in a normal state are much higher than in the first half of the year. So here, also, there are good chances to, to reach the guidance and if we reach the guidance for mobile and for IP TV, definitely, it will also be possible to to reach the EPA guidance on a group level. But, yeah, I I I said it, it is challenging but, um, uh, in our forecast, we do still reach it.

I'd like to circle back on Robin's answer in terms of the mobile market. I've heard the comment regarding value over volume, but do you think overall market volume growth is slowing, Robin?

Robin Harries: It's slowing. That's a good question. I don't think so. If we look at our opportunity and we could have, for example, if we would go for subscriber, we could have grown even stronger in terms of subscribers. But we haven't done this in the H1 because we put a lot of focus on value. So we don't do everything that we could do, which would bring us subscribers. But we see that there's still elasticity in the market, and therefore, I think the market is still healthy.

Um,

It's slowing. That's a good question. I don't think so. Yeah. So, if we look at our opportunity, and we could have...

For example, if we would go for subscribers, we could have grown even stronger in terms of subscribers. Yeah. So, um, but we haven't done this in the first half of the year because we, um, put a lot of focus on where you are, so we don't do everything that we could do which would bring our subscribers. Um, but we see that there's still elasticity in the market and, um, so therefore I think the market is still healthy.

Polo Tang: Thanks.

Thanks.

Ingo Arnold: Welcome.

Robin Harries: Welcome.

Okay.

Operator: Question goes to Florian Treis from Kepler. Please go ahead.

Operator: Question goes to Florian Treisch from Kepler. Please go ahead.

Florian Treis: Yes. Good morning, gents. Thanks for taking my question. I have a question around, let's say, general ARPU trends and front book trends. I appreciate your comment that front book prices are up 1% year over year in H1. So the first question would be, how do you think about front book pricing entering the H2? Secondly, how does the current front book pricing compare to your back book? In essence, my question is targeting towards getting a feeling when the year over year ARPU trend can, let's say, stabilize or return closer to zero. As simply, your net adds are indicating also customer growth will come down post the phase-in of the Mobilezone customers. Thank you.

Florian Treisch: Yes. Good morning, gents. Thanks for taking my question. I have a question around, let's say, general ARPU trends and front book trends. I appreciate your comment that front book prices are up 1% year over year in H1. So the first question would be, how do you think about front book pricing entering the H2? Secondly, how does the current front book pricing compare to your back book? In essence, my question is targeting towards getting a feeling when the year over year ARPU trend can, let's say, stabilize or return closer to zero. As simply, your net adds are indicating also customer growth will come down post the phase-in of the Mobilezone customers. Thank you.

Question goes to Floria and Hash from Kepler. Please go ahead.

Yes.

Yes, good morning Jen. Thanks for taking my question. I have a question around. Um let's say General output Trends and font book Trends. I mean I appreciate your comment that uh font Brooke prices are up, 1% year-over-year in H2 H1. So the first question would be how do you think about uh, front Book, pricing entering the second half and secondly, how does the current front Book pricing compared to your back book? I mean, in essence uh my question is targeting towards getting a feeling when the year-over-year output Trend can let's say stabilize or return closer to zero. As simply I mean your your net ads are indicating also customer growth will come down.

Post the faith and end of the mobiles on customers. Thank you.

Ingo Arnold: Thanks a lot for your questions. I think front book pricing H2 will be at least stable. I do not expect that it will go down again. It will be at least stable. I rather expect further positive trends. In terms of back book, you know that the overall ARPU will still go down over the course of this year because of the impact of the customer base. The old customers, and this is a normal, the ordinary churn that leave telcos. Every telco has this. They have higher ARPUs. You lose customers with high ARPU, and this will still impact our business or I would say the overall industry, until probably H2 2027. Because you have normally your two years contracts and then people churn.

Robin Harries: Thanks a lot for your questions. I think front book pricing H2 will be at least stable. I do not expect that it will go down again. It will be at least stable. I rather expect further positive trends. In terms of back book, you know that the overall ARPU will still go down over the course of this year because of the impact of the customer base. The old customers, and this is a normal, the ordinary churn that leave telcos. Every telco has this. They have higher ARPUs. You lose customers with high ARPU, and this will still impact our business or I would say the overall industry, until probably H2 2027. Because you have normally your two years contracts and then people churn. Therefore, I would expect that the back book impact will still take some months, and we will see probably a stabilization H2 2027.

Thanks a lot for your questions. Um,

So, I think front book pricing in the second half of the year will be at least stable. Yeah, so I don't expect that it will go down again. Yeah, so it will be at least stable. I rather expect further positive trends, and in terms of back book, so...

You know that the overall appeal will still go down over the course of this year because of the impact of the customer base. Yeah, so the old customers and the normal, the ordinary churn that leave Telos—um, so every telco has this. Yeah. So they have higher ARPUs. Yeah. So you, um, you lose...

Ingo Arnold: Therefore, I would expect that the back book impact will still take some months, and we will see probably a stabilization H2 2027.

Um um the customers with high up you and this impact. Um, this is this will still impact our business or I would say the overall industry, um, until um, probably the second half of 27. Yeah. So because you have normally you have 2 years contracts and then and people turn. Yeah. So therefore I would expect that and the back book impact um, will still take some months and we will see probably stabilization second half of 27.

Florian Treis: Great. Thank you.

Florian Treisch: Great. Thank you.

Ingo Arnold: Welcome.

Robin Harries: Welcome.

Right. Thank you.

Welcome.

Operator: The next question is from Lars Vom-Cleff, Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

The next question is from Lars Vose, Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

Lars Vom-Cleff: Yes. Thank you very much. Good morning. Two quick questions remaining. The first one is, you have been talking very positively about your own waipu.tv product. But waipu.tv only sustained its market share in this growing IPTV market. You also mentioned that Magenta was very aggressive in Q2. So I would be interested in finding out whether Magenta increased their market share at the expense of the others. If yes, why you have not profited from that?

Yes, thank you very much. Good morning. Um, 2 2 quick questions, remaining. The first 1 is you have been talking very positively about your own Viper product. Uh, but uh, Viper only sustained its market share in in this growing ipv market. And you also mentioned that magenta magenta was very aggressive in Q2. So I would be interested in finding out whether magenta increased their market share at the expense of the others and if yes, why you have not profited from that?

Ingo Arnold: First of all, I think the effect of the soccer championship was not as strong as we thought it would be. I think this is also. If you look into the atmosphere in Germany related to the soccer championship. Germany was out relatively, let's say, too early. This was, I think, not so good for the overall atmosphere. The games were rather late. This was also not so ideal, and I think there was not really this strong vibe that we expected with the soccer championship. However, we could then still achieve a solid growth. We can see, for example, in certain channels that we lost a little bit share, impression share in some channels.

Robin Harries: First of all, I think the effect of the soccer championship was not as strong as we thought it would be. I think this is also. If you look into the atmosphere in Germany related to the soccer championship. Germany was out relatively, let's say, too early. This was, I think, not so good for the overall atmosphere. The games were rather late. This was also not so ideal, and I think there was not really this strong vibe that we expected with the soccer championship. However, we could then still achieve a solid growth. We can see, for example, in certain channels that we lost a little bit share, impression share in some channels.

Robin Harries: I expect that this went to our competitors. I think you should talk to them, but I think they also invested aggressively in other channels. For us, the IPTV business is the same as mobile. We don't do crazy things. Profitability is important for us. So value is more important than volume, and that's why we said, okay, the growth that we achieved in Q2 is solid, is strong. For us, it's important that profitability goes up and that we don't now start investing into channels just to get the customers. Therefore, that's the story.

Was out relatively. Um, yeah. Let's say too early. Yeah, so, this was, I think not so good for the overall atmosphere. And then, the, the, um, the games were rather late. This was also not so ideal, and I think there was not really this, the strong wipe that we expected with the soccer championship. However, um, we could, um, still achieve a solid growth and, and we can see for example, in certain channels that we lost, um, a little bit share, impression, share and some channels. And I expect that this was, um, then um, that this went to, um, our competitors. I I, I mean, I think you should talk to them, but I think they also invested aggressively in other channels, um, but um, for us, the, um, IP TV business is the same as mobile. Yeah, we don't do crazy things. Profitability is important for us. Yeah, so value is more

More important than volume. And that's why we said, okay, the growth that we achieved in Q2 is solid, is strong. And for us, it's important that profitability goes up and that we don't now start investing into channels just to get the customers. Yeah. So, therefore, yeah.

Lars Vom-Cleff: Understood. Many thanks. A quick housekeeping question for Ingo, if I may. If I noted it down correctly in the past, you were expecting the reported tax rate to still be below 20% in 2026 and 2027. H1 2026 rather shows a tax rate of 33%. Shall we calculate with a higher tax rate for this year then? Maybe 25% to 30%? Or will the tax rate in H2 be extremely low?

That's a story.

Understood many things, and then a quick housekeeping question, for Ingo. If I may, if I noted it down correctly in the past, you were expecting the reported tax rate to still be below, 20% in 26 and 27 and H1 26. Rather shows a tax rate of 33% um shall we? Calculate with a higher tax rate for this for this uh year then maybe 25 30% or

Ingo Arnold: On the one hand, I would ask you maybe to talk separately with Tim, because we definitely do not have a tax rate of 33%. Tax rate will be something like 19% this year.

Will the tax rate in, in H2B, be extremely low?

Lars Vom-Cleff: Okay.

On the 1 hand, I I I would ask you maybe to to talk separately with Tim because we we definitely do not have a tax rate of 33% tax rate is some will be something that 19% this year.

Okay.

Ingo Arnold: Okay. Thank you for your question.

Robin Harries: Thank you for question.

Okay, okay, thank you for your question. Thank you. Well, Justin,

Operator: With that, I thank everyone for the questions, and I will hand you back to your host for the closing remarks.

With that, I thank everyone for the questions, and I'll hand you back to your host for the closing remarks.

Robin Harries: Thank you. It has been exciting H1 of the year. Looking ahead, the opportunities are at least as exciting with continued growth at waipu.tv, a value over volume focus in our mobile communication business, and the consistent application of artificial intelligence across our value chain. We are working towards the next milestones of our Ambition 2028 strategy and want to thank our team for the fantastic work and the strong execution. We are really looking forward for the next months and for the rest of the year. Thank you very much.

Thank you. So it has been an exciting first half of the year, and looking ahead, the opportunities are at least as exciting, with continued growth at woocommerce, TV—value over volume—focus on our mobile communication business, and the consistent application of artificial intelligence across our value chain.

We are working towards the next milestones of our Ambition 2028 strategy and want to thank our team for the fantastic work and the strong execution. And yeah, we are really looking forward to the next month and the rest of the year. Thank you very much.

Browse all earnings call transcripts

Q2 2026 freenet AG Earnings Call

Request TrialDemo

freenet

Earnings