Plusnet
Plusnet GmbH is a German B2B telecommunications provider serving Mittelstand, large enterprises, and municipalities with fiber, DSL, cloud telephony, SD-WAN, VPN, and managed security services under EnBW ownership, distributed via direct sales and a 300+ partner network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersKöln, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Plusnet does
Plusnet GmbH is a German business-to-business telecommunications provider founded in 2005 and headquartered in Cologne, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of EnBW (Energie Baden-Württemberg AG). The company delivers an integrated portfolio of internet connectivity, cloud telephony, networking, and managed services to more than 40,000 business customers, targeting the German Mittelstand, large enterprises, and municipalities.
The technical portfolio spans fiber (Glasfaser), DSL, fixed wireless (Richtfunk), LTE/4G mobile access backup, and dedicated leased lines (Standleitung) for connectivity; SIP trunking (IPfonie SIP), cloud PBX (Cloud-Telefonanlage, with Centraflex as an enterprise-focused sub-brand), and legacy ISDN for telephony; SD-WAN and VPN for multi-site networking; and add-on managed offerings including KRITIS-compliant Security Services, LAN-Management, and WLAN solutions. The company exposes a REST API for system integration and operates the Plusnet Portal for digital ordering and administration. Differentiators include modular product design, KRITIS and ISO 27001 compliance posture, and an 'Engineered in Germany' positioning.
The business model is predominantly subscription-based recurring revenue across five streams (Internet Services, Telephony, Networking Solutions, Managed IT and Security, and Wholesale), supplemented by professional services for implementation. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, a digital tariff advisor for SMB and mid-market leads, and an indirect channel of more than 300 sales partners, ISPs, and value-added resellers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customer engagement is supported by Plusnet's website, blog, LinkedIn, Xing, YouTube channels, and dedicated partner extranets, with Köpen-located headquarters led by Managing Directors Ulrich Hoffmann and Robert Jelinek-Nacke.
Plusnet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plusnet
- Legal name
- Plusnet GmbH
- Website
- https://plusnet.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Plusnet GmbH is a German B2B telecommunications provider serving Mittelstand, large enterprises, and municipalities with fiber, DSL, cloud telephony, SD-WAN, VPN, and managed security services under EnBW ownership, distributed via direct sales and a 300+ partner network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plusnet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Telecommunications Services
- NAICS
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business/Enterprise Fixed Connectivity Providers (SME/Enterprise Broadband) (HDAIABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Managed MPLS VPN Services (HDAIAFAA), Managed Network Services (NOC, Monitoring, Optimization) (BPAEAEAC), Cloud Networking & Virtual Networking (VPC/VNet) (HDABAFAG)
Keywords
Where Plusnet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Köln
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Plusnet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Internet Services Revenue: Recurring revenue from high-speed internet connectivity including fiber (Glasfaser), DSL, leased lines (Standleitung), fixed wireless (Richtfunk), and mobile access backup solutions. Revenue generated through monthly subscription fees based on bandwidth and service tier.
- Telephony Services: Recurring revenue from cloud-based telephone systems (Cloud-Telefonanlage), SIP trunk services (IPfonie SIP), and legacy ISDN connectivity. Revenue from voice channels, seat licenses, and feature subscriptions.
- Networking Solutions: Revenue from SD-WAN, VPN, and network interconnection services for multi-location enterprises. Typically recurring subscription or annual contract basis.
- Managed IT and Security Services: Revenue from managed services including LAN management, WLAN solutions, and Security Services. Professional services for implementation and ongoing management.
- Wholesale Services: Wholesale telecommunications services for other carriers and service providers, including network infrastructure access and connectivity services.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Plusnet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Plusnet GmbH is a German telecommunications provider that delivers business connectivity and communication services to mid-market companies (Mittelstand), large enterprises, and municipalities. Its core offerings include internet connectivity (fiber/Glasfaser, DSL, fixed wireless/Richtfunk, mobile backup, and leased lines/Standleitung), business telephony (cloud PBX, SIP trunking, ISDN legacy continuity), and networking solutions (SD-WAN, VPN), supplemented by managed services such as LAN/WLAN management and KRITIS-compliant security.
Product overview
Plusnet is a German telecommunications company providing an integrated portfolio of business communication solutions. The core offering consists of internet connectivity products (Glasfaser, DSL, Richtfunk, Mobile Access, Standleitung), telephony solutions (SIP-Trunk/IPfonie SIP, Cloud-Telefonanlage with Centraflex sub-brand, ISDN), and networking services (SD-WAN, VPN). These are complemented by add-on solutions including Security Services, LAN-Management, and WLAN-Lösungen. The portfolio is managed through the Plusnet Portal platform and supported by the Plusnet Ratgeber knowledge base. The company serves Mittelstand, large enterprise, and municipal customers throughout Germany with engineered-in-Germany quality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Glasfaser (Fiber Internet)
Companies that use Plusnet
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Plusnet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
Plusnet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Plusnet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 1&1 Versatel: German B2B-focused fixed-network carrier offering fiber, SD-WAN, and managed services to enterprise customers. Closely comparable to Plusnet in customer segment, product mix, and distribution model within Germany.
- ecotel communication: Smaller German B2B telecom focused on business broadband, cloud PBX, and managed network services for SMEs and mid-market. Highly comparable to Plusnet in target segment and product set.
- QSC AG (now part of Trenchant / Telefónica): Historical German B2B ICT provider offering UC, cloud telephony, and managed network services to mid-market enterprises. Comparable customer focus and product overlap with Plusnet's Centraflex and SD-WAN portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Deutsche Telekom: Germany's incumbent carrier offering the broadest portfolio of fixed, mobile, cloud, and ICT services to business customers. Competes with Plusnet across fiber, SD-WAN, and cloud telephony, with materially greater scale.
- Vodafone Germany: Major German fixed and mobile operator serving enterprise and SMB customers with broadband, SD-WAN, UC, and IoT services. Overlaps directly with Plusnet's connectivity and managed networking offerings.
- Telefónica Germany (O2): Major German mobile and fixed operator serving enterprise customers with mobile, broadband, and IoT solutions. Provides indirect competitive overlap in business connectivity and mobile backup.
Regional players
- Colt Technology Services: European B2B-focused connectivity provider delivering enterprise fiber, SD-WAN, and UC services. Comparable in product mix to Plusnet, though operating across multiple European countries rather than solely Germany.
- M-net Telekommunikation: Regional German carrier serving Bavaria and parts of southern Germany with fiber, business telephony, and managed services. Overlaps with Plusnet's SME/mid-market connectivity proposition on a regional basis.
- BT Germany: UK-headquartered carrier's German operations providing global enterprise networking, SD-WAN, and UC services. Comparable in offering multinational enterprises connectivity from Germany, though with global rather than domestic focus.
Emerging players
- Deutsche Glasfaser: German fiber-focused operator rapidly expanding FTTH/B2B fiber infrastructure. Increasingly relevant as a competitor to Plusnet's fiber connectivity and leased-line offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Plusnet social profiles
Digital presencePlusnet compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Plusnet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plusnet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Plusnet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plusnet M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Plusnet
What does Plusnet do?
Plusnet GmbH is a German telecommunications provider that delivers business connectivity and communication services to mid-market companies (Mittelstand), large enterprises, and municipalities. Its core offerings include internet connectivity (fiber/Glasfaser, DSL, fixed wireless/Richtfunk, mobile backup, and leased lines/Standleitung), business telephony (cloud PBX, SIP trunking, ISDN legacy continuity), and networking solutions (SD-WAN, VPN), supplemented by managed services such as LAN/WLAN management and KRITIS-compliant security.
Is Plusnet a public or private company?
Plusnet is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Plusnet founded?
Plusnet was founded in 2005. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Plusnet based?
Plusnet is headquartered in Köln, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Plusnet make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Internet Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are telephony Services, networking Solutions, managed IT and Security Services and wholesale Services.
Who are Plusnet's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 1&1 Versatel, ecotel communication and QSC AG (now part of Trenchant / Telefónica). Broad incumbents are Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Germany and Telefónica Germany (O2). Regional players are Colt Technology Services, M-net Telekommunikation and BT Germany. Deutsche Glasfaser is listed as an emerging player.
Does Plusnet have an API?
Yes. Plusnet provides a REST interface (REST-Schnittstelle) that enables standardized data exchange between different systems or applications. The API uses HTTP methods (GET for retrieving data, POST for sending/creating data, PUT for updating data, DELETE for removing data) and exchanges information in JSON or XML formats. It is designed for modern enterprise networks, IoT systems, and Open-Access platforms where multiple different systems need to communicate. Developer documentation is at www.plusnet.de/glossar/rest-schnittstelle.
What industry is Plusnet in?
Plusnet's product category is Business Telecommunications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIABAI, Business/Enterprise Fixed Connectivity Providers (SME/Enterprise Broadband), with a secondary code of HDAIAFAA, Managed MPLS VPN Services. Its NAICS code is 517111 and its SIC code is 4813.