ADDIX

What ADDIX does

ADDIX GmbH is a privately held, Kiel-based digital infrastructure provider (Amtsgericht Kiel, HRB 5992) operating across five interlocking service lines: managed WLAN and business internet, fiber-to-the-building with symmetric 300 Mbit/s connections, proprietary Astimax IPV cloud and on-premises telephony plus Ahoy RTC conferencing, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint (Snellstar) radio links for areas without DSL or fiber, and a FIWARE-based Smart City platform with LoRaWAN sensor deployments. The company is best known as the operator of #sh_wlan, one of the largest public WiFi networks in northern Germany with 3,000+ access points across roughly 800 city, port, and tourist locations under a co-brand with Sparkassen Schleswig-Holstein, and as the 2024 competitive-tender winner for HessenWLAN (3,500+ access points across 800 Hessian state authority locations on a four-year contract). It runs its own redundant data center in Kiel for hosting and housing and operates wholly-owned product subsidiaries (sh-wlan.de, astimax.de, snellstar.de, ahoyrtc.com).

Customers are predominantly German public-sector entities and regional enterprises, with named engagements including the State of Hessen, Sparkassen- und Giroverband Schleswig-Holstein, Kreis Plön, KielRegion/Smarte KielRegion, swb Beleuchtung GmbH, Planetarium Hamburg, NORLA trade fair (with Sparkasse Mittelholstein), and ADDIX Maritime; segments span businesses, hotels and restaurants, medical practices, schools, tourism/camping operators, municipalities/smart city, citizens via free public WiFi, and maritime operators. Revenue is generated through a subscription/managed-services mix (12-month minimum contract terms, recurring WLAN/internet/hosting/telephony fees), project-based smart city and fiber deployments, and proprietary software/hardware sales (Astimax IPV licenses, Snom and RuckUS-integrated solutions). Distribution is direct enterprise field sales plus public-sector tenders, supplemented by channel partnerships with Sparkassen, RuckUS, Snom, FIWARE, and Nokia, and the company holds FIWARE Gold Member and PartnerPRO Network (RuckUS) status.

ADDIX is led by Managing Partner Björn Schwarze and is actively engaged in publicly funded research projects — HYPERCORE 6G (BMBF-funded, fiber-as-sensor and AI event detection), H2Smart and DemoBin.DataBin (autonomous shipping and hydrogen energy transport) — alongside conferences (Mobile World Congress, Smart City Expo, FIWARE Global Summit) and regional startup ecosystem sponsorship (Überflieger). The company is privately financed with no disclosed funding rounds or external investors identified in the source data.

Name

ADDIX

Legal name

ADDIX GmbH

Website

https://addix.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ADDIX GmbH is a Kiel-based digital infrastructure provider operating one of northern Germany's largest public WiFi networks (#sh_wlan, HessenWLAN), alongside fiber-optic, radio link, telephony (Astimax IPV), and FIWARE-based smart city/IoT services for municipal, government, and regional enterprise customers in Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Services

NAICS

All Other Telecommunications (5178), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)

akta.pro primary industry

Neutral-Host Fiber & Shared Access Network Operators (HDAIACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Network & Connectivity Support (LAN/WAN, Wi‑Fi, ISP/Telco) (BPAAACAD)

Keywords

• Public WLAN services
• Fiber optic connectivity
• Managed hosting services
• Smart city platforms
• Business telephony systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Managed IT & Connectivity Services: ADDIX generates recurring revenue through managed services contracts for WLAN planning/deployment/support, internet access (DSL, fiber, radio links), hosting/housing in its own data center, and security solutions. Minimum contract duration is 12 months per AGB. Pricing is project-based or recurring subscription depending on service scope.
2. Public WLAN Network Operations: ADDIX operates public WLAN networks (#sh_wlan, HessenWLAN) for public-sector and institutional partners (Sparkassen, state of Hessen). Revenue is derived from network operation contracts, potentially including co-branding and partnership fees from financial institution sponsors.
3. Smart City Platform & IoT Solutions: ADDIX provides smart city data platforms (Smart Data Hub, Mobility Live Access integration) and IoT sensor solutions (LoRaWAN networks, visitor flow measurement, smart parking). Revenue model involves project-based implementation fees and ongoing platform subscription fees.
4. Telephony Systems (Astimax): ADDIX sells and services its proprietary Astimax telephony systems (IPV cloud solution, on-premises PBX) to businesses, medical practices, and government offices. Revenue is generated through software licenses, hardware sales, and ongoing support/service subscriptions.
5. Fiber Optic Connectivity (B2B/B2C): ADDIX provides fiber optic internet connections (300 Mbit/s symmetric) to residential tenants in multi-family buildings, without contract commitment, as a pure internet service provider. Revenue is usage/subscription-based from end-user tenants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ADDIX is a Kiel-based digital service provider operating public WLAN networks (#sh_wlan in Schleswig-Holstein with 3,000+ access points and HessenWLAN with 3,500+ access points), fiber optic internet access, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint radio links, managed hosting in its own data center, IT security solutions, IP telephony via its proprietary Astimax platform, and smart city data platforms with LoRaWAN IoT sensor networks. The company sells primarily to enterprises, hospitality, healthcare, education, tourism, and public-sector clients across Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• #sh_wlan: Public WiFi network operated by ADDIX in Schleswig-Holstein with over 3,000 access points at approximately 800 locations, offering free WiFi in city centers, ports, and tourist areas.
• ADDIX Security
• ADDIX WLAN
• ADDIX Smart Parking
• ASTIMAX
• Snellstar
• Ahoy
• HessenWLAN

Products and services

• #sh_wlan Public WLAN
• HessenWLAN Operations
• ADDIX Glasfaser (Fiber-to-the-Building Internet)
• Astimax IPV Telephony
• Astimax EazyHome

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,000 TB of data transferred by 1.3 million users across 2.6 million sessions in 12 months on #sh_wlan
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sparkassen- und Giroverband für Schleswig-HolsteincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-partnership in the #sh_wlan public WiFi initiative. The Sparkassen sponsor and co-brand the largest public WiFi network in northern Germany, enabling free connectivity for citizens and visitors while advancing the Sparkassen's digital community engagement goals. ADDIX operates the network.
• RuckUS Networks / CommScope (PartnerPRO Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationADDIX is a certified PartnerPRO Network member (Services Specialist, Services Specialist Support) for RuckUS WLAN equipment. CommScope's RuckUS provides enterprise-grade WiFi hardware integrated into ADDIX's managed WLAN solutions for businesses, events, and public WiFi deployments.
• Snom Technology AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationADDIX is a Snom Gold Partner, reselling and integrating Snom VoIP phones within its Astimax telephony solutions. The partnership provides hardware IP phones for business telephony customers using ADDIX's proprietary Astimax platform.
• eco – Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX is a member of eco, the German internet industry association. Membership provides networking, standards participation, and industry representation in the German internet economy.
• FIWARE Foundation e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX is a FIWARE Gold Member. FIWARE provides the open-source smart city platform framework (NGSI-LD data models) used by ADDIX for its Smart City data platform (Smart Data Hub, Mobility Live Access integration). ADDIX participates in FIWARE Global Summits and contributes to smart city platform development internationally (Morocco partnership at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University).
• Smart City WLAN AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX participates in the Smart City WLAN Alliance, a network of companies advancing public WiFi as a digital infrastructure component of smart city development.
• Smarte KielRegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX is a long-standing partner of the Smart KielRegion initiative, providing technical implementation for IoT sensor projects (visitor flow measurement, fire pond monitoring via LoRaWAN, smart parking) on the region's smart city data platform. ADDIX was recruited as a partner within days for the Kreis Plön fire pond project, demonstrating deep operational integration.
• Kreis PlöncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKreis Plön partnered with ADDIX to deploy a LoRaWAN-based water level monitoring system for fire ponds — the first statewide pilot project of its kind in Schleswig-Holstein. ADDIX provided technical expertise, sensor installation, and data dashboard integration for the smart region initiative.
• swb Beleuchtung GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerswb Beleuchtung provides street lighting infrastructure (lamp posts) used as mounting points for ADDIX's #sh_wlan access points and visitor flow sensors at Kiellinie. This partnership enables rapid, cost-effective deployment of smart city infrastructure without requiring separate pole installations.
• KielRegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKielRegion is the regional development organization for the Kiel area. ADDIX partners on multiple projects including visitor flow measurement at Kiellinie (14 sensors), smart parking at KITZ, and data platform integration on the Mobility Live Access platform. Projects delivered within 6 weeks of order placement.
• The Bay Areas e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Bay Areas e.V. is a networking organization connecting Schleswig-Holstein companies with the broader innovation ecosystem. ADDIX co-sponsors the Überflieger startup competition with The Bay Areas, connecting with early-stage companies in the region.
• Marketing Club Schleswig-HolsteinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Marketing Club SH is a professional marketing association. ADDIX co-sponsors the Überflieger startup competition, providing jury participation and networking opportunities with regional business leaders.
• StartUp SHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartUp SH is the startup support organization for Schleswig-Holstein. ADDIX co-organizes the Überflieger competition with StartUp SH, connecting with the regional startup ecosystem and demonstrating commitment to innovation.
• KITZ – Kieler Innovations- und TechnologiezentrumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKITZ is a technology and innovation center in Kiel. ADDIX deployed a smart parking pilot at KITZ, using IoT sensors to demonstrate nighttime/weekend parking space sharing with local residents — showcasing ADDIX's smart parking capabilities.
• H2Smart / CAPTN InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX participates in the H2Smart research project focused on hydrogen-based energy transport via waterways and autonomous shipping. The project involves the Wavelab research vessel and develops solutions for using the North-Ostsee Canal (Kiel Canal) infrastructure for sustainable energy transport. ADDIX contributes digital infrastructure and networking expertise.
• DemoBin.DataBin (TU Dortmund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX participates in the DemoBin.DataBin project led by TU Dortmund, developing a data and infrastructure platform for automated inland waterway shipping. The project uses AI to analyze sensor data for autonomous vessel guidance, aiming to achieve or exceed current maritime safety standards.
• HYPERCORE 6G Research ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX is a partner in the HYPERCORE 6G research project (funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research). Project partners include Adtran Networks SE, VPIphotonics GmbH, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, KIT, CAD connect GmbH, and Universität Stuttgart. ADDIX focuses on fiber-as-sensor technology, AI for event detection, and Smart City data platform development.
• Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDIX (via Björn Schwarze) participated in the FIWARE Global Summit in Rabat, part of the Smart Cities Roadshow Morocco organized by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. The summit focused on open digital infrastructures, smart city platform development for students, and international cooperation between FIWARE ecosystem members.
• Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAU Kiel collaborates with ADDIX on fiber-as-sensor research (HYPERCORE project) using machine learning for data analysis. ADDIX also partnered with CAU on the Corona-Warn-Band project during the COVID-19 pandemic, developing an inclusive contact tracing device for people without smartphones.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• wilhelm.tel: Hamburg municipal fiber and city carrier operating FTTx, telephony, hosting and business connectivity. Closely mirrors ADDIX's regional city-carrier business model and enterprise/municipal customer segments.
• NetCologne: Cologne regional carrier with FTTx, business telephony, hosting and smart city services. Same city-carrier model and similar enterprise / public-sector customer base as ADDIX, though operating at larger scale.
• M-net Telekommunikations: Bavarian regional carrier owned by municipal utilities (Stadtwerke München, Augsburg, etc.), providing FTTx, telephony, hosting and business services. Directly comparable city-utility-tied business model and segmentation.
• Deutsche Glasfaser: Germany's largest independent FTTH rollout specialist (now Iliad subsidiary), concentrating on regional fiber buildouts. Directly competes with ADDIX on FTTB/FTTH fiber rollout in underserved regions.
• EWE TEL: Regional carrier in Northwest Germany (Lower Saxony, Bremen, parts of Schleswig-Holstein), offering FTTx, telephony and business connectivity. Directly overlaps with ADDIX's Northern German geographic territory.
• Plusnet GmbH: German business ISP / connectivity provider (now part of 1&1), serving SMB and enterprise customers with managed WAN, internet access and hosting. Comparable business model and customer base to ADDIX's enterprise services.

Others

• Snom Technology AG: Manufacturer of VoIP / SIP desk phones and ADDIX Gold Partner. Ecosystem participant that supplies the IP phones integrated with ADDIX's proprietary Astimax telephony platform rather than directly competing with ADDIX.
• RuckUS Networks / CommScope: Enterprise WLAN hardware vendor and ADDIX technology partner (ADDIX is a PartnerPRO Services Specialist). Adjacent ecosystem participant that supplies the access points ADDIX deploys in its managed WiFi services.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Telekom: Germany's largest telecom incumbent with mobile, fixed-line, FTTx, business services and T-Systems IT services. Overlaps with ADDIX's offerings but operates nationally with substantially greater scale and capital.
• Telefónica Deutschland / O2: Major German mobile and fixed-line operator. Competes with ADDIX in business fixed-line connectivity and at the wholesale carrier-services layer, but at vastly larger national scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat8 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/1012302827
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/addix-gmbh
• Xx.com/addixinternet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 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 ADDIX