Group revenue and profitability growth
Core revenue grew 2.6% year-over-year to over ILS 2.0 billion; comparable EBITDA rose 1.2% and comparable net profit increased over 4%, driven by higher revenues across the group.
Strong free cash flow expansion (with caveat)
Group free cash flow grew 74% in Q1; Fixed Line free cash flow rose 84% to ILS 404 million. Management noted a material contribution from a tax refund and working capital timing.
Fiber deployment and broadband momentum
Reached 3.0 million homes passed for fiber with a 35% take-up; fiber subscribers were up ~19% and there are over 1.0 million active fiber subscribers (65% of total broadband base). Retail broadband ARPU increased 3.7% year-over-year to ILS 139 and broadband revenue grew 8%.
Mobile: strong 5G adoption and subscriber growth
Pelephone added 34,000 postpaid subscribers (strongest quarterly net adds since Q2 2018); 5G postpaid subscribers rose by 50,000 to ~1.45 million (61% of postpaid). 5G Max plans grew to 184,000; target of >300,000 5G Max subs by year-end.
yes turnaround and record metrics
yes revenues grew 7.5% to ILS 343 million (highest quarterly level since Q1 2019); comp EBITDA grew 14% and the business returned to comparable net profit after several quarters of losses. yes fiber subscribers rose to 137,000 and 89% of yes customers migrated to IP.
Bezeq International growth
Bezeq International business customer revenues increased 10% to ILS 263 million; comp EBITDA grew 18% and comparable net profit was ILS 8 million versus a ILS 2 million net loss year-over-year, driven by cloud and equipment sales.
Capital structure, shareholder returns and rating
Net debt decreased by ILS 122 million to ILS 4.6 billion (net debt/comp EBITDA 1.4x). Israeli rating agency reaffirmed a strong AA rating with stable outlook. Declared cash dividend of ILS 549 million and initiated an ILS 150 million buyback (≈50% completed).
Strategic infrastructure initiatives
Signed an MOU for an international subsea cable system and outlined plans to invest in multiple cables (example cited: ILS 250 million for 50% of first cable), targeting material revenue/IRR upside by positioning Israel as a regional digital hub.