Telecom network operator Orange today said it made an investment of 1.457 billion euros (+10.4 percent) or $1.64 billion in the first quarter of 2016 towards Capex (capital expenditure).
Orange’s investment program was in line with the Essentiels2020 strategic plan. Its investment towards Capex represents 14.6 percent of revenues.
The focus of the Orange investment was in fiber especially in France, mobile networks deployment for expanding 4G and 4G+ services, improvement in the customer experience and expansion of Smart Stores.
Orange said the first quarter 2016 revenues grew 0.6 percent to 10.009 billion euros or $11.27 billion. The Enterprise segment of Orange increased 2.1 percent, led by IT and integration services.
Orange CEO Stephane Richard said: “For the third consecutive quarter, Orange revenues have grown, again validating our strategy of differentiation through quality and investment.”
Orange doubled the number of 4G customers in one year to 20 million in Europe. The Group had 20 million 4G customers at 31 March 2016 (up 2.0x year on year) and 2.226 million fiber customers (up 2.1x in one year).
The technology company more than doubled the number of fiber customers in Europe to in excess of 2.2 million, principally driven by France and Spain with the successful integration of Jazztel.
In France, fixed broadband recorded 96,000 additional sales, led by fibre (+115,000), which had 1.075 million customers at 31 March 2016. There were 8.7 million 4G customers (+92 percent). In Spain, fiber added +211,000 subscribers. 4G also increased by 5.8 million customers.
Orange Money had 17.8 million customers (+34 percent). For comparison, Vodafone M-Pesa mobile money service has 25 million customers.
Baburajan K
