Group Development

For information on changes resulting from the first-time application of the IFRS 16 “Leases” accounting standard and changes in the organizational structure, please refer to the section “Group organization, strategy, and management.”

Since the spin-off from T‑Mobile Netherlands on January 1, 2019, the cell tower business of T‑Mobile Netherlands has been reported under GD Towers, the new unit set up in the Group Development operating segment. This unit comprises DFMG and the cell tower business of T‑Mobile Netherlands. Prior-year comparatives were not adjusted.

Customer development

thousands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sept. 30, 2019

June 30, 2019

Change
Sept. 30, 2019/
June 30, 2019
%

Dec. 31, 2018

Change
Sept. 30, 2019/
Dec. 31, 2018
%

Sept. 30, 2018

Change
Sept. 30, 2019/
Sept. 30, 2018
%

NETHERLANDS

Mobile customers

5,531

5,455

1.4

4,021

37.6

4,004

38.1

Fixed-network lines

601

578

4.0

241

n.a.

227

n.a.

Broadband customers

601

578

4.0

241

n.a.

227

n.a.

The number of mobile and fixed-network customers in the Netherlands increased significantly compared with the end of 2018 due to the customer base acquired in connection with Tele2 Netherlands. There was also clear customer growth in the operating business. Despite intense competition, customer additions were recorded in particular in mobile communications thanks to our attractive rate plan portfolio offering large data packages through to unlimited data volumes. The number of fixed-network consumers also increased further as a result of our attractive rate plan portfolio.

Development of operations

millions of €

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q1
2019

Q2
2019

Q3
2019

Q3
2018

Change
%

Q1-Q3
2019

Q1-Q3
2018

Change
%

FY
2018

a

Prior-year comparatives were calculated on a pro forma basis for the redefined key performance indicators resulting from the introduction of the IFRS 16 accounting standard.

TOTAL REVENUE

 

682

683

704

544

29.4

2,068

1,607

28.7

2,185

Of which: Netherlands

 

461

458

479

335

43.0

1,398

962

45.3

1,322

Profit (loss) from operations (EBIT)

 

126

102

270

134

n.a.

498

431

15.5

560

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

 

(200)

(199)

(208)

(86)

n.a.

(607)

(244)

n.a.

(334)

EBITDA

 

325

300

479

220

n.a.

1,105

675

63.7

893

EBITDA ALa

 

249

232

402

215

87.0

883

658

34.2

865

Special factors affecting EBITDA

 

(6)

(18)

134

(7)

n.a.

109

(16)

n.a.

(27)

EBITDA (adjusted for special factors)

 

332

319

345

227

52.0

996

691

44.1

921

Of which: Netherlands

 

147

137

153

104

47.1

437

321

36.1

425

EBITDA AL (ADJUSTED FOR SPECIAL FACTORS)a

 

255

250

269

222

21.2

774

674

14.8

892

Of which: Netherlands

 

123

117

132

102

29.4

372

312

19.2

413

EBITDA AL margin (adjusted for special factors)a

%

37.4

36.6

38.2

40.8

 

37.4

41.9

 

40.8

CASH CAPEX

 

(86)

(106)

(99)

(60)

(65.0)

(291)

(201)

(44.8)

(271)

Total revenue

Total revenue in our Group Development operating segment in the first three quarters of 2019 increased by 28.7 percent year-on-year, primarily due to the inclusion of Tele2 Netherlands since the start of 2019. Both business customer and consumer operations contributed to this revenue growth, on the back of customer growth and a positive trend in business with MVNOs in the Netherlands. The GD Towers unit also recorded a year-on-year increase in revenue, driven by volume-based growth at DFMG.

EBITDA AL, adjusted EBITDA AL

EBITDA AL increased from EUR 658 million in the prior-year period to EUR 883 million. In August 2019, we transferred our stake of around 11 percent in Ströer SE & Co. KGaA to the Group’s own trust, Deutsche Telekom Trust e.V., to use as plan assets to cover pension obligations. The resulting income of EUR 142 million was recorded as a special factor. The revenue-increasing effects and the inclusion of Tele2 Netherlands also contributed to the increase in EBITDA AL. EBITDA AL of T‑Mobile Netherlands increased from EUR 674 million to EUR 774 million, partly as a result of the inclusion of Tele2 Netherlands and the transfer of the EBITDA AL contribution of the Dutch cell tower business to GD Towers. Initial synergy effects, measures to improve cost management efficiency, and rising customer numbers and revenues from business operations also contributed to the EBITDA AL growth. The GD Towers business continues to post consistent growth on the back of rising volumes.

EBIT

EBIT increased from EUR 67 million to EUR 498 million year-on-year. The income from the transfer of our stake in Ströer amounting to EUR 142 million had a positive effect. An increase in depreciation, amortization and impairment losses in connection with the consolidation of Tele2 Netherlands at T‑Mobile Netherlands as well as non-recurring effects in the course of the integration had a negative effect. GD Towers’ high investments in new cell sites also increased depreciation, amortization and impairment losses. Whereas previously expenses had been recognized in connection with operating leases, the right-of-use assets recognized in this context since the application of accounting standard IFRS 16 as of January 1, 2019 result in particular in higher depreciation charges.

Cash capex

Cash capex increased by EUR 90 million or 44.8 percent compared with the prior-year period, due mainly to the additional investments required to integrate Tele2 Netherlands and higher capital expenditure at DFMG in connection with building out mobile infrastructure in Germany.