Continued commercial performance and strong EBITDAaL growth, thanks to the successful operational integration of VOO

07 Feb 2025 07:00 CET

Issuer

ORANGE BELGIUM

Press release
Embargo until 7 February 2025 at 7:00 am
Regulated information – Inside information

Financial information for the second semester and full year 2024

Continued commercial performance and strong EBITDAaL growth, thanks to the successful operational integration of VOO

Mobile postpaid customer base 4.4% yoy / Cable customer base 3.5% yoy
H2 Revenues +0.9% yoy / FY 2024 Revenues +1.7% yoy on a comparable basis
H2 EBITDAaL +7.0% yoy / FY 2024 EBITDAaL +10.1% on a comparable basis

Operational Highlights

The launch of our new portfolios in the beginning of the semester has showed its success in mobile commercial performance
74k postpaid net adds over the semester, bringing total subscribers to 3.5m, up by 4.4%. Both our Orange brands with its new portfolio, as well as our hey! brand were successful
Our cable offers generated 17k net adds over the period, totalling 1,021k customers (+3.5% yoy)

Orange Belgium: key operating figures	reported		reported
	H2 2023	H2 2024	change
Mobile postpaid customer base (in ‘000)	3 320	3 467	4.4%
Net adds (in ‘000)	71	74	3.8%
Cable customer base (in ‘000)	987	1021	3.5%
Net adds (in ‘000)	26	17	-34.2%

Financial Highlights

Total revenues for the full year reached €1,993.7m, a growth of +1.7% yoy
EBITDAaL increased by 10.1% for the full year, supported by the delivery of the synergies following the acquisition of VOO (notably the transfer of VOO mobile clients to the Orange network), other costs optimization and good commercial performance
eCapex increased by 1.4% for the full year on a comparable basis, due to the RAN sharing implementation, 5G deployment and upgrading of the cable network to provide Gigabit network coverage

Orange Belgium Group: key financial figures	reported	comparable		reported	comparable	reported	comparable		reported	comparable
in €m	H2 2023	H2 2023	H2 2024	change	change	FY 2023	FY 2023	FY 2024	change	change
Revenues	1 009.0	1 007.6	1 016.1	0.7%	0.9%	1 749.5	1 961.1	1 993.7	14.0%	1.7%
Retail service revenues	823.0	785.6	806.6	-2.0%	2.7%	1355.1	1552.3	1600.8	18.1%	3.1%

EBITDAaL	272.6	272.4	291.4	6.9%	7.0%	451.3	494.3	544.3	20.6%	10.1%
Margin as % of revenues	27.0%	27.0%	28.7%	166 bp	164 bp	25.8%	25.2%	27.3%	150 bp	209 bp
eCapex¹	-194.9	-194.9	-188.4	-3.3%	-3.3%	-304.1	-362.8	-368.0	21.0%	1.4%
Adjusted Operating cash flow²	77.7	77.5	103.0	32.6%	32.9%	147.2	131.5	176.3	19.7%	34.0%
Net profit (loss) for the period	4.6	4.6	34.8	655.2%		-10.8	-18.5	17.2	-259.9%	-193.3%
Net financial debt	2 224.0	2224.0	1 904.9			2224.0		1 904.9

eCapex excluding licence fees
Adjusted Operating cash flow defined as EBITDAaL – eCapex excluding licence fees

Xavier Pichon, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

We are thrilled to share the full results of 2024, reflecting our unwavering commitment to providing the best telecom offers on the Belgian market. Our recent initiatives, including our Netflix partnership and the launch of our new portfolios, have been warmly received by our customers. These efforts underscore our dedication to enhancing the customer experience and staying ahead in a competitive market.

As we look ahead, we are focused on leveraging our combined strengths and we will continue to adapt to new market realities. Our Lead the Future strategy is more than ever the key for future success. We are committed to providing superior technology, including unmatched fixed and mobile connectivity, advancements in 5G, cybersecurity, while ensuring a seamless customer experience through agile go-to-market strategies and an innovative portfolio. Sustainability remains integral to our business model, with a focus on digital inclusion and striving for net-zero carbon operations. By fostering a culture of competence and talent, and maintaining financial excellence, we are confident in our ability to innovate and lead in this dynamic environment.

Antoine Chouc, Chief Financial Officer, stated:

Our financial results for 2024 demonstrate our robust performance and strategic execution in a competitive market environment. Our focus on operational efficiency, synergies delivery and strategic investments has enabled us to achieve solid financial outcomes.

Our revenue for the year reached almost 2 billion euros, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 1.7% driven by the retail service revenues growth (+3.1% year-on-year).

We posted an outstanding 10.1% EBITDAaL growth for 2024 and exceeded our initial guidance. This performance was made possible thanks to an overachievement of our synergies ambitions following the acquisition of VOO demonstrating our success in integrating both companies. These synergies are crucial for maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring long-term sustainability.

eCapex totalled €368 million, reflecting our continued investment in superior technology. We are on track with the implementation of the RAN sharing program. We pursued the modernization of the HFC network to have Gigabit coverage, especially in rural areas thanks to subsidies and we started our FTTH journey.

2024 dividend

The Orange Belgium Group aims to balance the appropriate cash returns to equity holders maintaining a balanced and sound financial position, while leaving sufficient leeway to continue to invest in its convergent strategy, the expansion of its network and other growth opportunities. Orange Belgium’s Board of Directors will not propose a dividend for the financial year 2024 to preserve cash for future capital requirements.

2025 outlook

The Company targets an EBITDAaL between €545m and €565m. Total eCapex in 2025 is expected to be between €365m and €385m.

New Financial Calendar

7 May                     Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
3 July                     Start of quiet period
24 July                   Financial results H1 2025 (7:00 am CET) – Press release
24 July                   Financial results H1 2025 (10:00 am CET) – Audio conference call

This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to changes

Attachment