United Internet AG reported a successful first nine months of 2026, adding 770,000 fee-based customer contracts to reach 30.49 million, according to a company press release issued via NEWMEDIAWIRE. The Montabaur, Germany-based internet specialist also posted a 3.0% increase in consolidated sales to EUR 4,638.3 million, up from EUR 4,502.2 million in the comparable prior-year period.
The customer growth was driven by the company’s IONOS segment, which added 690,000 contracts, and its Mail & Media segment, which contributed 300,000. These gains were partially offset by a decline of 220,000 contracts in the 1&1 segment, reflecting a realignment of the discount tariff portfolio in April. That realignment included discontinuing the marketing of particularly low-priced tariffs and reducing data allowances in high-performance tariffs. As a result, mobile internet contracts fell by around 150,000 in the second quarter and by around 90,000 in the third quarter, while broadband connections increased by 20,000 contracts during the reporting period.
Earnings in the third quarter were affected by one-off expenses totaling EUR 61.3 million from transformation and restructuring programs at 1&1 Versatel and IONOS. Adjusted for these items, operating EBITDA rose 10.0% to EUR 1,062.8 million from EUR 966.4 million, and operating EBIT climbed 25.4% to EUR 555.7 million from EUR 443.2 million. The strong EBIT increase was attributed to higher EBITDA as well as lower depreciation and amortization, with reduced PPA amortization offsetting increased amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment. Operating earnings per share from continued operations improved to EUR 1.26, compared with EUR 0.75 a year earlier, or EUR 1.04 after accounting for the transformation and restructuring costs. Cash capex amounted to EUR -453.8 million, compared with EUR -488.0 million in the prior-year period.
United Internet confirmed its full-year guidance for 2026, expecting sales to increase to approximately EUR 6.25 billion from EUR 6.104 billion in 2025, and operating EBITDA to rise to approximately EUR 1.45 billion from EUR 1.282 billion. Cash capex is projected at EUR 600 million to EUR 650 million, down from EUR 730.8 million in 2025. An overview of all key figures and the Quarterly Statement Q3 2026 are available in the Investor Relations section of www.united-internet.de/en.
The results matter for investors and the broader European internet sector because they show United Internet balancing growth investments with margin expansion. The company’s ability to add contracts while improving profitability suggests its strategy of focusing on higher-value customers is gaining traction, even as the 1&1 tariff realignment temporarily weighed on mobile contract numbers. With over 30 million fee-based customer contracts and more than 38 million ad-financed free accounts, United Internet remains a leading European internet specialist, and its confirmed outlook signals confidence in continued demand for its established brands, including 1&1, IONOS, STRATO, GMX and WEB.DE. The full release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
