Orange steps up investment in fibre and 4G and grew revenue

Mobile operator Orange has posted revenue of 10.082 billion euros (+2 percent), adjusted EBITDA of 2.605 billion euros (3.8 percent) and Capex of 1.533 billion euros (3.7 percent) in Q1 2018.

The first quarter Capex of Orange rose 3.7 percent to 1.533 billion euros – mainly focusing on 4G and fibre investments.

“The increase in Capex in the 1st quarter of 2018 is in line with the 7.4 billion euros forecast for the year and reflects our ongoing investments in 4G and very high-speed broadband fixed services,” Orange CEO Stephane Richard said.

Over 90 percent of the population across European countries have access to Orange 4G. The global telecom operator said 4G coverage in France is 97 percent. Orange’s fibre reached 27.7 million households (an increase of 6.2 million, or 28.9 percent year on year) in Europe.
Orange revenue Q1 2018Orange said its Capex for 2018 will be 7.4 billion euros. Orange aims to reduce for 2019 and 2020.

Orange said its Q1 Capex as a percentage of revenues was 15.1 percent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points.

Orange’s fibre investments were mainly focused on countries such as France, Spain and Poland. Orange enhanced fibre investment in France and Spain, benefiting in part from significant co-financing from other mobile operators.

Orange’s fibre has a customer base of 12.2 million in Spain, 9.6 million in France, 2.7 million in Poland and 2.4 million in Romania.

Investment in 4G and 4G+ services remains high, with accelerated rollout in France, Spain and in the Africa & Middle East segment.

The 4G coverage rate was 97.0 percent of the population in France, 96.0 percent in Spain, 99.8 percent in Poland, 99.7 percent in Belgium, 93.4 percent in Romania, 90.2 percent in Slovakia, and 98.0 percent in Moldova.

Orange also focused on making investments in France and Spain for enhancing the customer experience, including enhancing coverage outside urban areas and increasing connection speeds in major cities.

Orange made 4G investment in Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco and Egypt in Africa & the Middle East.

Orange has also invested in information systems and service platforms due to the launch of transformation and digitisation projects in Belgium and Spain.

Orange revenue

Orange revenues were 4.492 billion euros (+2.1 percent) from France, 1.310 billion euros (+4.3 percent) from Spain, 648 million euros (–0.6 percent) from Poland, 307 million euros (+0.9 percent) from Belgium & Luxembourg, 435 million euros (+7.3 percent) from Central European countries, 1.245 billion euros (+6.2 percent) from Africa and the Middle East and 1.726 billion euros (–1.3 percent) from Enterprise business.