PRESS RELEASE
4iG Plc released its first report as a converged service provider
Vodafone Hungary's successful acquisition and the merger of its Albanian subsidiaries set the tone for the first quarter of the Group
- With the successful acquisition of Vodafone Hungary, 4iG Plc became a converged telecommunications service provider in Hungary in Q1 2023, while remaining Hungary’s leading IT systems integrator.
- ONE Albania, formed by the merger of Albanian subsidiaries, has emerged as the leading technology and info-communications provider in the Western Balkans.
- 4iG Plc had consolidated net revenues of HUF 115.17 billion, EBITDA of HUF 36.27 billion and profit after tax of HUF -1.17 billion in Q1 2023 in accordance with IFRS.
- The Group's negative profit after tax was mainly due to non-cash depreciation, amortisation and other items related to acquisitions in the previous period and deferred tax payments.
- 87.4 percent of net sales were generated by the Telecommunications division and 12.6 percent by the IT division.
4iG Plc underwent a significant transformation
in the first quarter of 2023. The Group became a converged telecommunications provider
in Hungary through the successful acquisition of Vodafone Hungary, and
maintained its market-leading position as an IT systems integrator, according
to the company's flash report published on the Budapest Stock Exchange. Thanks
to IT-telco's convergence-based business model, the Company’s profitability
indicators improved significantly, and its recurring revenues increased. The
Group has become the second largest in the Hungarian telecoms market in mobile
voice and internet services, and the market leader in fixed internet services
and television broadcasting. As a result of the successful acquisition of
Vodafone Hungary, Scope Ratings upgraded the issuer rating of 4iG Plc by one
notch (BB- with a stable outlook), which also resulted in an upgrade of the
debt rating of 4iG's already issued bonds (BB-). By capitalizing on the international
and domestic synergies between the telecom and IT businesses, the Company's financial
and technological results are expected to further improve.
Following the merger of ALBtelecom
and One Telecommunications on 1 January 2023, ONE Albania, one of the
largest telecommunications companies in the Western Balkans, was emerged. The
4iG affiliate has become the leading fixed voice, internet, and television
operator as well as the second largest mobile operator in the Albanian telecommunications
market. As a result of the merger, the company has the largest fixed network in
the country, the fastest growing base of mobile subscribers, and a 5G-ready
mobile infrastructure. The business move has also improved the operator's
efficiency and profitability. After being launched in Montenegro, 4iG Group
launched its rebranding in Albania on 14 March, making ONE the unified
brand name.
According to the financial
statements prepared in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting
Standards), 4iG Group’s net revenues increased by 135 percent to HUF 115.17 billion,
while its EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation)
emerged by 131 percent to HUF 36.27 billion in the first quarter of 2023
compared to the same period of the previous year, resulting in an EBITDA margin
of 31.5 percent of net sales. The Company significantly diversified its
customer base, with the telecoms business accounting for 87.4 percent of
revenues in the first quarter of 2023. The Company’s after-tax loss under IFRS
of HUF 1.17 billion is primarily due to non-cash depreciation, deferred tax
payments and items related to leased assets. The Company's cash and cash
equivalents at the end of the quarter amounted to HUF 30.4 billion.
Budapest, 31st May 2023
More
information:
Péter Elkán
Group Head of
Corporate Affairs and Communication
sajto
(@) 4ig.hu