What Congstar does

Congstar GmbH is a German direct-to-consumer mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and a brand of Telekom Deutschland GmbH, the German operating subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cologne, the company serves over 6 million customers exclusively in Germany through its own website congstar.de and digital self-service channels, with no physical retail presence. Its core offerings include mobile contract tariffs (Allnet Flat XS through L with 10–150 GB data and 5G), prepaid plans (Allnet XS through XL plus customizable and 300 GB annual packages), fixed-line internet via DSL and fiber (congstar Zuhause 100–1000 Flex), and LTE/5G mobile home internet (Homespot & Go S/M/L).

Underlying technology is the Telekom D-network, which Congstar leases as an MVNO rather than owning spectrum or radio infrastructure. The company emphasizes a digital operating model: eSIM provisioning enables immediate activation without physical SIM delivery, MultiSIM links multiple devices to one tariff, and the meincongstar portal plus iOS/Android apps handle account management, tariff changes, and data top-ups. Add-on modules include the 5G Speed Option, Zweit- und Partnerkarte family discount cards, and a self-service customer app. Sub-brands (congstar X, Zuhause, Homespot, Fair Flat, Youngster) organize the product surface by use case and customer type.

Congstar's revenue model is entirely subscription-based across mobile postpaid, prepaid (pay-as-you-go), home internet, and mobile hotspot products, billed monthly or annually. GTM is 100% direct-to-consumer digital, supported by content marketing through the "Created" online magazine and the FAIRsprochen video podcast, social channels across Instagram/TikTok/YouTube/LinkedIn/Facebook, the Congstar community forum, and brand partnerships including FC St. Pauli main sponsorship and the Fairnessheld*innen initiative with ZEIT Verlagsgruppe. Customer segments span German individual consumers broadly, with named targets including young adults (18–27), home internet households, and prepaid users seeking flexibility.

Name

Congstar

Legal name

Telekom Deutschland GmbH

Website

https://congstar.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Congstar is a German direct-to-consumer mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offering mobile contracts, prepaid plans, DSL/fiber internet, and mobile hotspot services on the Telekom D-network, serving over 6 million German consumers through a 100% digital, no-retail model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Mobile Contract Plans (Postpaid): Monthly subscription revenue from Allnet Flat tariff plans ranging from 10 GB to 150 GB data allowances with voice and SMS inclusions. Customers pay monthly fees with contract terms typically of 24 months or month-to-month options.
2. Prepaid Services: Prepaid mobile plans with various data packages (1 GB to 300 GB annual) where customers purchase credit in advance. Revenue recognized upon airtime purchase with flexible, commitment-free usage.
3. Internet/DSL and Fiber Plans: congstar Zuhause home internet services including DSL (100/250 Mbps) and fiber options (150/300/600/1000 Mbps) for residential customers.
4. Homespot Mobile Broadband: Mobile internet for home use with data-limited plans (100-400 GB) using LTE technology, offering alternative to fixed-line internet.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Congstar is a German mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that sells mobile telephony contracts (postpaid Allnet Flat tariffs), prepaid mobile plans, DSL and fiber home internet, and mobile home broadband (Homespot) directly to consumers. As a brand of Telekom Deutschland GmbH, it delivers services over the Telekom D-Netz infrastructure and operates through a fully digital, direct-to-consumer sales and onboarding channel including eSIM activation.

Product overview

Congstar is a German mobile network provider and brand of Telekom Deutschland GmbH offering a comprehensive telecommunications portfolio. The offering consists of mobile contract tariffs (Allnet Flat series with 10-150 GB), prepaid tariffs (Allnet series plus customizable options), fixed-line internet via DSL and fiber (Zuhause Flex series with speeds from 100-1000 Mbit/s), and mobile hotspot solutions (Homespot & Go). Add-on services include 5G speed options, eSIM activation, MultiSIM for multiple devices, and a mobile app for account management. The products serve both consumer and business segments through contract and prepaid models, operating on the Telekom D-Netz network with 5G coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• congstar X: Mobile tariff brand offering various contract options
• congstar Zuhause
• congstar Homespot
• congstar Fair Flat
• congstar Youngster

Products and services

• Allnet Flat Postpaid Mobile Tariffs

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 consecutive years as Connect Leserwahl winner in mobile provider category
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZEIT VerlagsgruppecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2024Cooperation with ZEIT Verlagsgruppe for the Fairnessheld*innen initiative. Winners receive interviews/portraits published under ZEIT Campus Online in a Branded Content Hub. The Fairnessheld*in of the Year also receives print placement in ZEIT Campus Magazine as an advertorial. This partnership provides enhanced credibility and reach for the initiative.
• Aktion MenschminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Partnership with Aktion Mensch charity organization as part of Congstar's societal engagement initiatives. The company supports the 'Agentur für Ehre' (Agency for Honor) initiative to promote volunteer work and social causes.
• FC St. PaulicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCongstar is the main sponsor (Hauptsponsor) of FC St. Pauli football club. This sponsorship provides significant brand visibility in Hamburg and among the club's passionate fanbase, aligning with the brand's values of fairness and community engagement.
• FAIRsprochen Podcast PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFAIRsprochen podcast produced with support from Maniac Studios, navos, and Macaw (and Justaddsugar for later seasons). These production partners enable the creation and distribution of the brand's video podcast content.
• Telekom Deutschland GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationCongstar operates as a brand and subsidiary of Telekom Deutschland GmbH, utilizing the Telekom D-network infrastructure for all mobile services. This is a core operational partnership providing network access and technical infrastructure.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Klarmobil: Klarmobil is a major German discount MVNO offering mobile contracts and prepaid tariffs across D-network and O2/e-plus networks. Competes head-to-head with Congstar in the value mobile segment with similar pricing-driven positioning.
• Freenet AG: Freenet is a German MVNO and digital lifestyle provider offering mobile, TV, and streaming services. Operates a similar MVNO business model with a multi-brand strategy (e.g., klarmobil, freenetMobile) targeting value-conscious consumers, directly comparable to Congstar's positioning.
• WinSIM: WinSIM is a discount MVNO brand owned by Drillisch (1&1 group), targeting price-sensitive German consumers with low-cost mobile tariffs. Directly comparable to Congstar's prepaid and budget postpaid offerings.
• 1&1 (United Internet): 1&1 is one of Germany's largest MVNO/ISP groups (formerly Drillisch), offering mobile and DSL services to consumers at value price points. Operates a similar discount telecom model as Congstar and competes directly for the same value-conscious German customer segment.
• Otelo (Vodafone): Otelo is Vodafone Germany's online-only discount brand offering mobile contracts on the Vodafone network. Closely parallels Congstar's digital-only, no-physical-retail approach to the value consumer segment.
• Lidl Connect: Lidl Connect is a discount MVNO sold through Lidl stores in Germany, offering low-cost mobile tariffs on the Vodafone network. Competes directly with Congstar's prepaid and value postpaid tariffs in the discount mobile segment.
• Aldi Talk: Aldi Talk is a discount MVNO operating on Telefónica's network in Germany, selling prepaid mobile services through Aldi retail. Targets a similar budget-conscious consumer segment as Congstar's prepaid offering with comparable price points.

Broad incumbents

• Telefónica Deutschland (O2): O2 is Germany's third mobile network operator with its own infrastructure, offering mobile and DSL services across all price points. As a full MNO with a broader portfolio, it competes with Congstar at the value end while also serving premium and business segments.
• Deutsche Telekom: Deutsche Telekom is Congstar's parent company and Germany's largest mobile network operator. While Congstar is a sub-brand of Telekom Deutschland, the parent brand itself is the dominant incumbent competitor in mobile, DSL, and fiber across all price points.
• Vodafone Germany: Vodafone Germany is the second-largest mobile network operator in Germany with its own infrastructure, serving consumer and business customers across mobile, DSL, cable, and IoT. Competes with Congstar across multiple segments and serves as a wholesale network provider to several MVNO brands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/congstar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCV8ReM-BajRwn5IHDXijI3A
• Facebookfacebook.com/congstar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/congstar
• Instagraminstagram.com/congstar_de
• TikToktiktok.com/@congstar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Congstar