Orange lifted its earnings outlook as it reported quarterly revenue growth for the first time since 2009.
The operator said it expects EBITDA of at least €12.3 billion for 2015, compared to previous targets of €11.9-€12.1 billion, as earnings grew 1.1 percent during the third quarter to €3.6 billion.
The rise in earnings was accompanied by sales growth of 0.5 percent year-on-year to €10.3 billion, the first time reported revenues have risen for six years.
Underlying sales rose for the first time in four years in Q2.
The increase was credited to a “favourable change” in Orange’s mobile business, led by the Africa and the Middle East, where revenues climbed 6.8 percent to €1.3 billion.
Orange said it has added seven million 4G customers across all its opcos since the end of last year.
In Europe, sales were down 0.9 percent to €2.6 billion despite improvements in Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg and Central European countries.
Nevertheless, this showed an improvement on Q2, when revenues fell 1.7 percent.
Orange CEO Stéphane Richard also credited the group’s improved performance to the effectiveness of the company’s Essentials2020 plan, part of which sees the operator funnelling money into deploying fibre technology.
Capex rose 7.6 percent in Q3 to €1.6 billion.
The operator added 116,000 fixed broadband customers in Q3, 108,000 of which were fibre customers, giving Orange a total to 263.3 million fixed-line customers.
The number of mobile customers also rose by 6.1 percent to 202 million in the three months to September.
Orange said its total customer base now stands at 263.3 million.
Richard said: “Our return to growth in revenue and restated EBITDA validates our strategy of differentiation through quality and investment and confirms the positive momentum generated over almost two years.
“Our business performed particularly well this quarter, especially in France, Spain, Belgium, Central Europe, Africa & Middle East and the Enterprise market.
“This commercial momentum is supported by high levels of investment in very high-speed fixed and mobile broadband, in line with our Essentials2020 strategic plan.
“Propelled by this momentum and driven by our ambition to deliver an unrivalled customer experience, we now aim to achieve the high end of the range for the objectives initially set for 2015.”