Release of 13.07.2021

Results for the Second Quarter and First Half 2021

This press release has: 3 Documents
  • Group total revenues rose by 6.4 %; Service revenues in local currency terms increased in all markets, except for slight decrease in Slovenia, while all segments contributed to equipment revenue growth apart from an FX driven decline in Belarus.
    • Mobile service revenues increased by 4.5 % on a Group level due to strong growth in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia. The growth was driven by mobile core business but also by the strong performance of mobile WiFi routers.
    • Fixed-line service revenues rose by 3.3 %, driven by growth in all segments, above all in Austria and Bulgaria. Especially, the strong solutions & connectivity business contributed to this trend.
    • Equipment revenues grew by 22.0 % on the back of strong increases in Austria and Bulgaria, mostly due to returning handset sales after a Covid-related decline in the comparison period.
  • Growth in Internet@home subscriber base of 5.2 % driven by mobile WiFi routers.
  • The number of mobile contract subscribers rose by 6.8% due to a higher number of M2M subscribers but also due to growth in mobile WiFi routers and a shift from prepaid to postpaid.
  • Fixed-line RGUs decreased slightly by 0.5 %, as the growth in high-bandwidth broadband and TV RGUs was outweighed by declining numbers of low-bandwidth broadband and fixed voice RGUs.
  • Roaming revenues returned to growth in Q2 (positive impact yoy: <1 % of revenues; approx. 1 % of EBITDA versus approx. -3 % in Q1 2021) amidst the eased travel restrictions in the whole footprint.
  • Group EBITDA before restructuring charges increased by 8.1 % (reported: 9.6 %) due to higher service revenues outweighing an increased cost base. Excluding one-off and FX effects as well as restructuring charges, Group EBITDA increased by 9.5 %.
    • In Austria EBITDA before restructuring charges increased by 4.5 % (reported: 6.8 %), driven by both higher services revenues and an improved equipment margin offsetting increased costs and expenses.
    • EBITDA in the international operations increased by 11.0 %, with strong growth in all markets while EBITDA in Belarus was flat due to negative FX effects.
  • Net result increased by 9.8 % in the second quarter of 2021, driven by the improved operational performance.
  • Free cash flow decreased from EUR 140.3 mn to EUR 123.8 mn in the quarter under review, as the strong operating result and lower working capital needs were more than offset by higher CAPEX which grew on the back of increased network investments and acquired frequencies. CAPEX in the comparison period were reduced as a precautionary measure given the Covid-19 outbreak.
  • Spectrum acquired in April 2021: 3.6 Ghz for EUR 2.4 mn in Bulgaria and 700 MHz, 1.4 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 26 GHz for EUR 43.6 mn (incl. acquisition related costs) in Slovenia; no further spectrum acquired since Q1 results.
  • Following the rebranding of Vip mobile to A1in Serbia in April 2021, A1 Telekom Austria Group completed the Group-wide roll-out of the A1 brand.
  • Outlook 2021 raised: 2-3 % Group total revenue growth (before: approx. +1%); CAPEX excluding spectrum investments and acquisitions of approx. EUR 800 mn unchanged.

Disclaimer for forward-looking statements:
This document contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are usually accompanied by words such as "believe", "intend", "anticipate", "plan", "expect" and similar expressions. Actual events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Neither A1 Telekom Austria Group nor any other person accepts any liability for any such forward-looking statements. A1 Telekom Austria Group will not update these forward-looking statements, whether due to changed factual circumstances, changes in assumptions or expectations. This report does not constitute a recommendation or invitation to purchase or sell securities of A1 Telekom Austria Group.