Growth comes particularly from the consumer segment, stated Fallacher, adding the operator probably also widened its market share.
He did not provide details about second quarter results, set to be published at the end of July. In the first quarter, Orange saw its revenue go up by around 5%. The company started benefiting from the launch of the satellite TV service launched a year ago, said Fallacher, without providing details about the number of clients, though, only specifying this is in line with the company’s expectations.
Asked whether Orange identified any acquisition target in Romania, a player that should own a fixed communications network, Fallacher only specified the operator is watching the market and should any opportunities arise, it will act, without providing further data.
In 2013, Orange generated net profit worth EUR11 million amid revenue of EUR981 million.
Watch the entire interview with Jean Francois Fallacher
Half of the clients who extend a subscription or contract a new one buy a smartphone, compared with just 15% three years ago, so there won’t be long until the Romanians owning a smartphone become the dominant user category on the market, according to Fallacher, who has held the position of Orange Romania CEO for three years. At present, around 30% of Romanians own a smartphone, he estimated.
Orange further saw an increase in the number of subscriptions, in the context where some clients move from prepaid cards to contracts offering them the possibility of acquiring phones at subsidized prices, said Orange CEO.
The mobile telephony company made significant investments to expand the 4G network and will earmark further funds for such investments.
According to Fallacher, Orange covers over 99.9% of Romania’s population with the 2G network and over 98.8% with the 3G network, while the 4G network covers 50% of the country’s population.
Until yearend, Orange’s priorities will be investments in the 4G and 4Gplus network securing speeds of as much as 300 Mbps for data downloading, in the satellite TV service and in the platform making video content accessible through smartphones, tablets or PCs as well. Investments will also be aimed at the store network and employee training.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)