Finance
Meta unit must pay Deutsche Telekom $36 million over network services, German court say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 10, 2026
Home > Finance > Meta unit must pay Deutsche Telekom $36 million over network services, German court say
Tags:Deutsche Telekom
Quick Summary
Meta's Edge Network Services must pay Deutsche Telekom €30 million after losing a court appeal regarding network service fees.
German Court Orders Meta Unit to Compensate Deutsche Telekom $36 Million
Court Ruling on Meta's Network Services Payment
BERLIN, Feb 10 (Reuters) - A German court has ruled that a Meta subsidiary must pay Deutsche Telekom about 30 million euros ($35.71 million) for network services used by the U.S company's platforms, a court spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Details of the Court Decision
The payment covers services that Telekom says it provided over more than three years to handle internet traffic generated by Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Arguments from Both Sides
At issue was whether a binding contract existed during this period for the use of Telekom's "peering points," where data enters the company's network.
Implications for Telecom Industry
Telekom argued that Meta subsidiary Edge Network Services continued using its private interconnection points after the original contract expired, which it said amounted to a new, paid agreement.
Edge argued that the two firms had established a settlement-free peering agreement, meaning neither could demand payment from the other for exchanging data.
COURT DECISION GIVES MORE WEIGHT TO TELECOM FIRMS
Telecom companies say that Big Tech firms like Meta and Google should help fund the expansion of high-capacity broadband networks because they generate heavy data traffic.
Big Tech counters that net neutrality rules require all users to be treated equally, meaning they shouldn't pay extra.
Tuesday's court decision gives more weight to telecom firms' argument.
Edge can file a complaint with the federal court of justice against the lower court's decision not to allow an appeal within one month after receiving the judgement, according to the court.
A Meta spokesperson said the company fundamentally disagreed with the court ruling and was reviewing its options.
"We remain committed to ensuring high-quality access to our services for all users," said the spokesperson in an email.
Edge Network and Telekom did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment on the court decision.
(Reporting by Miranda Murray; additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee;Editing by Linda Pasquini and Bernadette Baum)
Key Takeaways
- •Meta's subsidiary loses appeal against Deutsche Telekom.
- •Court orders Meta to pay €30 million for network services.
- •The dispute involves Meta's Edge Network Services.
- •The ruling was made by a German court.
- •Deutsche Telekom claims unpaid network service fees.
Frequently Asked Questions about Meta unit must pay Deutsche Telekom $36 million over network services, German court say
1What is a court ruling?
A court ruling is a decision made by a judge or a court regarding a legal case. It determines the outcome of the case and can set a precedent for future cases.
2What are network services?
Network services refer to the various services provided over a network, including data transmission, internet access, and communication services that enable devices to connect and interact.
3What is a subsidiary?
A subsidiary is a company that is controlled by another company, known as the parent company. The parent company typically owns a majority of the subsidiary's shares.
