May 27, 2025 (Lusa) - The CEO of Altice Portugal said on Tuesday that Meo had concluded the first quarter with a "clear sign" that the company is poised to lead the next phase of technological transformation in the sector.
Altice Portugal's revenues reached €697 million in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 2.4%, despite the reduction in revenues recorded at Altice Labs.
"Meo closes the first quarter of 2025 with a clear signal: we are prepared to lead the next phase of the sector's technological transformation," said Ana Figueiredo in the first quarter results statement.
"We invested €100 million in a single quarter — an investment that is not only significant, but also structural and necessary for the country because it is not enough to keep up with the sector: we need to shape it," she continued.
Investment grew 1.3% year-on-year.
"We live in a time when technology is becoming the central axis of competitiveness, artificial intelligence, automation, the convergence between energy and communications, and the growing demand for permanent connectivity pose new challenges to our operations," and "Meo's response has been unequivocal," says Ana Figueiredo.
In other words, "investing with vision, anticipating trends and needs, and placing innovation as one of the central pillars of our development and growth model."
In fact, "this commitment was particularly evident during the recent power outage, when Meo remained operational, demonstrating once again that it is the leading operator in Portugal," she stressed.
Ana Figueiredo said that "it was a solid and constant investment over the years" that enabled the operator to "ensure continuity at a critical time for the country", showing that the networks and infrastructure are prepared, robust and reliable in all situations.
The CEO added that the company was continuing with its strategic plan and "moving forward with the transformation that needs to be achieved".
The transition from a traditional telecommunications operator to a technologically integrated player is something we are leading, she continued, noting that "5G, advances in satellite solutions and the growth of Meo Energia are milestones in a new positioning."
It is "a company that is no longer limited to connecting people through telecommunications, but prepares them to live in an increasingly digital, intelligent and interconnected ecosystem," Ana Figueiredo said.
However, none of these advances will be sustainable if they are made in isolation, which is why "building a sector for the future must be done with the contribution of all its players, who must actively contribute to the elimination of barriers that currently penalise economic development, in the search for solutions that encourage investment and that understand and support this new reality," she warns.
"More than a telecommunications operator, we are a technology and innovation company, committed to the challenges of the present and the responsibilities of the future, whose chapters we will write in the coming quarters," the CEO concluded.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) totalled €244 million in the first quarter, "a reduction of 5.6% compared to the same period last year".
The company added that if Altice Labs' performance is excluded, "EBITDA fell by 1.4% year-on-year despite the aforementioned revenue growth, as there were increases in direct and commercial costs associated with the growth of the Energy customer base, as well as the seasonality of these costs".
Investment amounted to €100 million between January and March, a growth of 1.3% compared to the same period last year.
ALU/ADB // ADB.
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