Telecom operator Orange said it posted revenue of €10.07 billion (+0.8 percent), EBITDA of €2.59 billion (+2 percent), EBITDA margin of 25.9 percent (+0.3 percentage) and Capex of €1.49 billion (+2.1 percent) in the first quarter of 2017.
Orange’s Capex program
Orange’s Capex for telecom at €1.484 billion increased 1.4 percent, while the ratio of Capex to revenues from telecom activities was 14.7 percent.
Orange enhanced investment in fibre by 7 percent mainly in France, Spain and Poland. Orange said main focus areas for investment were 4G and 4G+, in line with the goals of the Essentiels2020 strategic plan.
Orange said its fibre network covers 21.5 million (+53 percent) households including 10 million in Spain, 7.4 million in France, 2.1 million in Romania, 1.7 million in Poland and 352,000 in Slovakia.
The 4G coverage rate was 89 percent of the population in France, 91 percent in Spain, 99 percent in Poland, 100 percent in Belgium, 83 percent in Romania, 80 percent in Slovakia, and 98 percent in Moldova.
Orange continued its investment in 4G+ in France and in the other European countries. Orange deployed 3G in 21 countries of in Africa and the Middle East.
Orange has made investment in 4G networks in 11 countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Morocco, Mauritius, Senegal and Tunisia in Africa and the Middle East.
Orange has covered 83 urban areas in France with a dedicated network based on LoRa technology to boost the Internet of Things (IoT) business.
“Revenues are growing, driven by solid commercial performances, particularly in France, Spain and Poland. The strategy Orange centred on convergence around the home, the best connectivity in the market due to our sustained investment, and an unparalleled customer experience, is bearing fruit,” said Orange CEO Stephane Richard.
Orange Money had 30.8 million (+74 percent) customers at 31 March 2017.
Orange said the fixed broadband base was 19.0 million customers (+4.6 percent), including 3.7 million fibre customers (+64 percent).
