France's Iliad, while announcing its first half of 2024 results on Thursday, said it has now become Europe's fifth-largest operator by the number of customers, reaching 50 million total subscribers. The company recorded 1,318,000 new mobile and fixed-line subscribers during the period, Iliad said on August 29.
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Subscriber Growth
In France, where it operates under the Free brand, Free gained 120,000 net new mobile subscribers (185,000 on 4G/5G plans), 40,000 net new broadband subscribers, and 189,000 new fiber subscribers in Q2. Over 75 percent of Free Mobile subscribers are now on 4G/5G plans, and more than 78 percent of Freebox subscribers use Free Fiber.
In Poland, Play maintained growth in the mobile segment with 62,000 net new subscriptions and 67,000 new prepaid cards. In the fixed segment, Play added 17,000 net new subscribers, showing moderate growth due to competition.
In Italy, Iliad Italia continued adding subscribers in the mobile market for the 25th consecutive quarter, with 279,000 new mobile subscribers in Q2, the company said. In the fixed market, Iliad Italia also led net additions with 35,000 new subscribers.
"We now count 50 million subscribers in France, Poland, and Italy, and as many as 61 million with our investment in Swedish operator Tele2. The Odyssey 2024 plan, which has guided our roadmap over the past five years, has come to fruition. Our next Odyssey will be forged by ongoing innovation, investing in our 5G and fiber networks, and strengthening our cloud and data center activities," Iliad Group said in a statement.
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Investment in Tele2 Enhances European Presence
According to reports, overall, in France, Iliad now has 22.8 million subscribers, while in Poland it recorded 15.3 million subscribers through the mobile provider Play and the cable operator UPC. In Italy, the total number of subscribers was 11.5 million as of June 30.
The Iliad Group became the main shareholder of the Tele2 Group in late April 2024. The three members of the Iliad Group's management team who sit on Tele2's Board of Directors began their term of office immediately after Tele2's Annual General Meeting in May 2024, the company said.
