Deutsche Telekom AG

Deutsche Telekom operates through several business segments. T-Mobile US is the largest segment by revenue and profitability, serving approximately 140 million wireless subscribers in the United States. The Germany segment provides fixed-line and mobile telecommunications services to consumers and businesses across Germany. The Europe segment operates mobile and fixed-line networks in multiple Central and Eastern European countries. The Systems Solutions segment provides IT services to enterprise customers.

The company is one of the world's largest telecommunications providers by revenue, with operations spanning the United States, Germany, and numerous European markets. Deutsche Telekom has invested heavily in 5G network deployment across its markets, positioning itself as a leader in next-generation wireless technology.

Deutsche Telekom employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide, with the majority split between the United States (T-Mobile US) and Germany. The company's "Leading Digital Telco" strategy focuses on network quality, customer experience, and digital innovation.

Deutsche Telekom was created in 1995 through the privatization of the telecommunications division of Deutsche Bundespost, the German federal postal service. The company was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 1996 in what was then the largest initial public offering in European history. The German government retained a significant ownership stake following the IPO.

In the early 2000s, Deutsche Telekom expanded internationally, acquiring mobile operators across Europe and entering the U.S. market through the acquisition of VoiceStream Wireless, which became T-Mobile USA. The U.S. business initially struggled to compete against larger rivals AT&T and Verizon, but a strategic turnaround under CEO John Legere beginning in 2012 transformed T-Mobile into one of the fastest-growing wireless carriers in the country.

The defining moment for Deutsche Telekom's U.S. strategy came in April 2020 when T-Mobile completed its merger with Sprint Corporation, creating the second-largest wireless carrier in the United States. The merger gave T-Mobile access to Sprint's spectrum holdings and customer base, enabling the rapid deployment of 5G networks across the country. Deutsche Telekom increased its stake in T-Mobile US to approximately 48%, achieving majority ownership.

In 2024, Deutsche Telekom reported strong financial results, with adjusted net profit increasing 18.3% to 9.4 billion EUR. The company expects further earnings growth in 2025, driven by continued strength in the T-Mobile US business and improving performance in its European operations.