Selected notes to the consolidated statement of financial position

Trade receivables

At EUR 15.1 billion, trade receivables decreased by EUR 1.0 billion against the 2023 year-end level. This was due to lower receivables in the United States and Germany operating segments. By contrast, positive exchange rate effects, mainly from the translation from U.S. dollars into euros, increased the carrying amount.

Contract assets

The carrying amount of contract assets at the reporting date totaled EUR 2.5 billion compared with EUR 2.4 billion as of December 31, 2023. Contract assets relate to receivables that have not yet legally come into existence, which arise from the earlier – as compared to billing – recognition of revenue, in particular from the sale of goods and merchandise. Furthermore, receivables from long-term construction contracts are recognized under contract assets.

Inventories

The carrying amount of inventories remained unchanged at the 2023 year-end level of EUR 2.4 billion. The sale of high-priced mobile terminal equipment in connection with marketing campaigns in the United States operating segment reduced the carrying amount, while stockpiling of mobile terminal equipment in the Germany operating segment had an offsetting effect.

Intangible assets

The carrying amount of intangible assets increased by EUR 2.2 billion compared to December 31, 2023 to EUR 138.2 billion. Exchange rate effects, primarily from the translation of U.S. dollars into euros, increased the carrying amount by EUR 2.6 billion. Additions increased the carrying amount by EUR 1.3 billion, EUR 0.1 billion of which related to mobile spectrum in the United States operating segment. Amortization and impairment losses of EUR 1.7 billion reduced the carrying amount.

The following transactions will have an impact on the presentation of Deutsche Telekom’s results of operations and financial position in the future:

On August 8, 2022, T‑Mobile US entered into agreements with Channel 51 License Co LLC and LB License Co, LLC (Sellers) for the acquisition of spectrum licenses in the 600 MHz band in exchange for a total cash consideration of USD 3.5 billion (EUR 3.2 billion). The licenses are to be acquired without any associated network assets. T‑Mobile US currently utilizes these licenses under an existing arrangement with the Sellers covering fixed-term spectrum leases. On March 30, 2023, the contractual parties further agreed that the transaction be divided into two separate tranches. The transfer of the licenses in accordance with the agreements is subject to regulatory approvals and certain other customary closing conditions. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the first tranche of the license transfer on December 29, 2023. T‑Mobile US expects the first tranche to be concluded in the second quarter of 2024 with payment of the corresponding purchase price in the third quarter of 2024, and the second tranche to be concluded in late 2024/early 2025.

On September 12, 2023, T‑Mobile US agreed with U.S. cable network operator Comcast to acquire spectrum in the 600 MHz band in exchange for total cash consideration of between USD 1.2 billion and USD 3.3 billion (EUR 1.1 billion and EUR 3.1 billion). The transaction is subject to approval by the FCC. At the same time, T‑Mobile US and Comcast have agreed exclusive leasing arrangements for these spectrum licenses. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2028, pending approval from the FCC.

On July 1, 2020, T‑Mobile US and DISH Network Corporation (DISH) reached an agreement on the sale of spectrum licenses, under which DISH agreed to purchase certain 800 MHz spectrum licenses from T‑Mobile US for USD 3.6 billion (EUR 3.3 billion). On October 15, 2023, T‑Mobile US and DISH modified the agreement to include, among other changes, a non-refundable extension fee of USD 0.1 billion (EUR 0.1 billion), which DISH paid to T‑Mobile US on October 25, 2023, as well as the requirement that the purchase of the spectrum licenses must be finalized by April 1, 2024.

As of April 1, 2024 (after the reporting period), DISH had not exercised the purchase option. The already paid extension fee will be retained in accordance with the agreement and recognized in profit or loss as other operating income in the second quarter of 2024. T‑Mobile US is now obligated to put the licenses up for sale at auction and has initiated the corresponding auction process. Should bidding not reach the defined minimum purchase price of USD 3.6 billion, T‑Mobile US would be released from its obligation to sell the licenses.

Property, plant and equipment

The carrying amount of property, plant and equipment increased from EUR 65.0 billion as of December 31, 2023 to EUR 65.1 billion. Additions, primarily for the upgrade and build-out of the network (broadband, fiber-optic, and mobile infrastructure) increased the carrying amount by EUR 2.4 billion. Exchange rate effects, primarily from the translation of U.S. dollars into euros, also increased the carrying amount by EUR 0.7 billion. Reclassifications of lease assets upon expiry of the contractual lease term to property, plant and equipment, primarily for network technology in the United States operating segment, increased the carrying amount by EUR 0.2 billion. By contrast, depreciation and impairment losses totaling EUR 3.1 billion and disposals of EUR 0.1 billion decreased the carrying amount.

Right-of-use assets

The carrying amount of the right-of-use assets increased by EUR 0.1 billion compared to December 31, 2023 to EUR 32.9 billion. The carrying amount was increased by additions of EUR 0.9 billion. Exchange rate effects, primarily from the translation of U.S. dollars into euros, increased the carrying amount by EUR 0.6 billion. Depreciation and impairment losses reduced the carrying amount by EUR 1.3 billion. The previously mentioned reclassifications of lease assets to property, plant and equipment also reduced the carrying amount by EUR 0.2 billion.

Capitalized contract costs

As of March 31, 2024, the carrying amount of capitalized contract costs remained at the level of December 31, 2023 of EUR 3.5 billion. The capitalized contract costs primarily relate to the United States and Germany operating segments.

Investments accounted for using the equity method

The carrying amount of investments accounted for using the equity method increased by EUR 0.1 billion compared to December 31, 2023 to EUR 4.7 billion, mainly due to a capital increase in the investment in the GlasfaserPlus entities.

Other financial assets

The carrying amount of current and non-current other financial assets decreased by EUR 0.2 billion compared to December 31, 2023 to EUR 9.4 billion.

For information on cash collateral deposited and on derivatives, please refer to the section “Disclosures on financial instruments.”

Other assets

The carrying amount of current and non-current other assets increased by EUR 0.4 billion to EUR 4.0 billion. As of March 31, 2024, the carrying amount included various advance payments, totaling EUR 3.3 billion (December 31, 2023: EUR 2.9 billion), mainly including advance payments for maintenance, repairs, and in connection with agreements on services for certain mobile communications equipment that do not fall under the scope of IFRS 16.

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale

The carrying amount of non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale as of March 31, 2024 remained unchanged at the level of December 31, 2023 of EUR 0.2 billion.

Financial liabilities and lease liabilities

The following table shows the composition and maturity structure of financial liabilities as of March 31, 2024:

The carrying amount of current and non-current financial liabilities increased by EUR 4.7 billion compared with year-end 2023 to EUR 109.3 billion, primarily due to the factors described below. This also includes exchange rate effects of EUR 1.9 billion, primarily from the translation of U.S. dollars into euros.

The carrying amount of bonds and other securitized liabilities increased by EUR 4.6 billion to EUR 92.4 billion. The carrying amount was increased by senior notes issued by T‑Mobile US in the reporting period with a total volume of USD 3.0 billion (EUR 2.7 billion) with terms ending between 2029 and 2055 and bearing interest of between 4.85 and 5.50 %, and by asset-backed securities (ABS notes) with a volume of USD 0.5 billion (EUR 0.5 billion) with the term ending in 2029 and bearing interest of 5.05 %. The carrying amount was also increased by the issue of a EUR bond of EUR 0.7 billion by Deutsche Telekom AG, with the term ending in 2036 and bearing interest of 3.25 %. The carrying amount was reduced by the scheduled repayment of a EUR bond in the amount of EUR 0.8 billion. In addition, the carrying amount decreased by EUR 0.2 billion in connection with measurement effects from derivatives with a hedging relationship, the offsetting entry for which is posted under bonds and other securitized liabilities. Exchange rate effects increased the carrying amount of bonds and other securitized liabilities by EUR 1.7 billion.

As of March 31, 2024, the carrying amount of liabilities to banks remained at the level of December 31, 2023 of EUR 3.6 billion.

The liabilities with the right of creditors to priority repayment in the event of default of EUR 1.9 billion (December 31, 2023: EUR 2.1 billion) relate primarily to bonds issued by Sprint. Collateral was provided for these bonds, hence they constitute a separate class of financial instruments. The main factor reducing the carrying amount was repayments made in the reporting period in the amount of EUR 0.2 billion when translated into euros. At the reporting date, cash and cash equivalents with a carrying amount of EUR 70 million (December 31, 2023: EUR 64 million) when translated into euros were pledged as collateral for these bonds.

The carrying amount of other interest-bearing liabilities decreased by EUR 0.2 billion compared with December 31, 2023 to EUR 6.5 billion. Scheduled repayments by T‑Mobile US reduced the carrying amount by EUR 0.2 billion, of which EUR 0.1 billion, when translated into euros, related to payments made in connection with the existing agreement on IP transit services, concluded with Cogent as part of the sale of the Wireline Business. Exchange rate effects increased the carrying amount of other interest-bearing liabilities by EUR 0.1 billion.

The carrying amount of other non-interest-bearing liabilities increased by EUR 0.4 billion to EUR 1.3 billion, mainly due to the stake of the cash dividend of USD 0.65 per share – declared by the Board of Directors of T‑Mobile US on March 15, 2024 – attributable to non-controlling interests in T‑Mobile US.

For further information on the shareholder return program at T‑Mobile US, please refer to the section “Other transactions that had no effect on the composition of the Group.”

The carrying amount of derivative financial liabilities remained unchanged at the level of December 31, 2023 of EUR 2.6 billion.

For further information on derivative financial liabilities, please refer to the section “Disclosures on financial instruments.”

The carrying amount of current and non-current lease liabilities increased by EUR 0.1 billion to EUR 40.9 billion compared with December 31, 2023. Exchange rate effects, in particular from the translation of U.S. dollars into euros, raised the carrying amount by EUR 0.7 billion. By contrast, lease liabilities in the United States operating segment decreased by EUR 0.6 billion, mainly due to the decommissioning of the former Sprint’s wireless network and a decline in network and build-out investments, primarily on account of higher capital efficiency resulting from the accelerated build-out of the nationwide 5G network in the prior year.

Trade and other payables

The carrying amount of trade and other payables decreased by EUR 2.6 billion to EUR 8.3 billion, due in particular to lower liabilities in the United States operating segment, which resulted in part from a lower procurement volume, and to lower liabilities in the Germany and Europe operating segments. By contrast, exchange rate effects, in particular from the translation from U.S. dollars into euros, increased the carrying amount.

Provisions for pensions and other employee benefits

The carrying amount of provisions for pensions and other employee benefits decreased by EUR 0.2 billion compared with December 31, 2023 to EUR 3.9 billion. Overall, the remeasurement of defined benefit plans resulted in an actuarial gain of EUR 0.1 billion to be recognized directly in equity, mainly due to the increase in the discount rate compared with December 31, 2023. Benefits paid directly by the employer in the reporting period also contributed to the reduction in the carrying amount.

Current and non-current other provisions

The carrying amount of current and non-current other provisions decreased by EUR 0.5 billion compared with the end of 2023 to EUR 7.6 billion. Other provisions for personnel costs decreased by EUR 0.2 billion, primarily in connection with the bonuses paid out to employees in the United States operating segment and a decline in the carrying amount of the provision recognized for the Civil Health Insurance Fund (Postbeamtenkrankenkasse – PBeaKK). This is primarily due to an increase in the discount rate. Furthermore, provisions for procurement and sales support decreased by EUR 0.1 billion, mainly in connection with the bonuses paid out to sales partners in the United States operating segment. Provisions for termination benefits also decreased by EUR 0.2 billion, mainly as a result of the program implemented to reduce the workforce in the United States operating segment.

Other liabilities

The carrying amount of current and non-current other liabilities increased by EUR 0.3 billion to EUR 5.6 billion, mainly due to an increase in liabilities from other taxes.

Contract liabilities

The carrying amount of current and non-current contract liabilities was at the same level as at December 31, 2023 of EUR 2.8 billion. These substantially include deferred revenues.

Shareholders’ equity

The carrying amount of shareholders’ equity increased from EUR 91.2 billion as of December 31, 2023 to EUR 93.2 billion, with profit of EUR 3.1 billion and capital increases from share-based payments of EUR 0.1 billion having an increasing effect. Other comprehensive income also increased the carrying amount by EUR 1.5 billion, mainly as a result of currency translation effects of EUR 1.4 billion recognized directly in equity and the remeasurement of defined benefit plans accounting for EUR 0.1 billion, as well as gains from hedging instruments of EUR 0.1 billion. Income taxes relating to components of other comprehensive income of EUR 0.1 billion had an offsetting effect. Effects also arose in connection with the T‑Mobile US shareholder return program from September 2023 – comprising the share buy-back program and the payment of cash dividends – that reduced the carrying amount of shareholders’ equity. The carrying amount of transactions with owners declined by EUR 1.6 billion, due in particular to the share buy-back program at T‑Mobile US. In addition, payments of additional cash dividends of USD 0.65 per share in each case, declared in January and March 2024, reduced the carrying amount by EUR 0.7 billion due to payments to non-controlling interests. Furthermore, the carrying amount was reduced by Deutsche Telekom AG’s share buy-back program that started in January 2024 with share buy-backs of EUR 0.5 billion.

For further information on Deutsche Telekom AG’s share buy-back program and the share buy-back/shareholder return programs at T‑Mobile US, please refer to the section “Other transactions that had no effect on the composition of the Group.”

The following table shows the changes in the composition of the Group and the development of transactions with owners: