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Established in 2007, following a merger with Mobilcom, Freenet AG is a German telecommunications company, headquartered in Schleswig-Holstein. The company has since evolved into a “digital lifestyle provider”. One which offers core competencies beyond telecommunications and into television, energy and the Internet of Things (IoT).

It originally started out as a broadband internet provider, but this subsidiary of the company was sold to United Internet in 2009. Since then, its primary focus has been on mobile communications. It is a mobile network provider in Germany, with highly flexible tariffs that have enabled the firm to grow into the biggest network-independent mobile communications brand in the country.

Freenet is also active in the television and media industry, with an additional focus on IPTV services and free-to-air digital terrestrial television.

The history of the Freenet share price has been turbulent. In early February 2000, Freenet shares were worth upwards of €67.25. However, by September 2001, its share price had plunged to just €1.59 per share. In the mid-2000s, as smartphones began to proliferate, Freenet shares recovered strongly, reaching €24.82 by July 2007.

The 2008 global financial crash did little to improve Freenet’s value, falling to €2.94 by December 2008. However, the continued growth of mobile communications saw Freenet continue along its growth path. By the middle of 2015, the Freenet share price had broken the €31 mark.

That period appeared to be the peak for the value of Freenet shares, as it’s struggled to maintain that price point ever since. 2018 was a poor year for Freenet, with its share price falling to €17.35. On a positive vein, the Freenet share price has not been this low since, except for the early instances of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, shares were stable above the €20 mark through 2022.

Several telecommunications companies across the globe could be considered competitors to Freenet AG. Deutsche Telekom AG is arguably one of the biggest telecommunications firms in Germany. Headquartered in Bonn, Deutsche Telekom is now a highly reputable Fortune 500 company, with several world-renowned subsidiaries including T-Mobile.

In terms of mobile and landline telecommunications, the closest competitor for Freenet is arguably Drillisch AG. Also known as 1&1 Drillisch, this company boasts United Internet as a majority shareholder – the company which acquired Freenet’s broadband subsidiary back in 2009. Revenues between Freenet and 1&1 Drillisch are very similar, positioning them on a rung beneath the likes of Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile.