08 September 2022

Orange said second-quarter core operating profit rose 0.5% year-on-year, with strong growth from its Africa and Middle East division offsetting falls in sales in its native France and neighbouring Spain.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation after leases (EBITDAaL) rose to €3.31bn over the period.

Second-quarter sales fell 0.4% on a comparable basis to €10.7bn. Orange also confirmed its full-year targets, including an increase in core operating profit between 2.5% and 3.0%.

Orange chief financial officer (CFO) Ramon Fernandez told reporters that the group had asked French telecom regulator Arcep the permission to extend its profitable roaming contract with its rival Iliad over 2G and 3G mobile networks. However, he declined to disclose the proceeds from this contract. Christel Heydemann, who took over as chief executive officer (CEO) in early April, will present the group’s next mid-term targets and strategy in February 2023, Fernandez added.