Marc Murtra He has starred in his first presentation of financial results since he was appointed new executive president of Telefónica At the end of last January. And in it, in addition to thanking the confidence of the Council and recognizing the work done by Jose María Álvarez-Pallete, he has promised a Strategic review of the company.

Murtra has pointed out, given the stage that has begun, that it is a privilege to lead the new era of Telefónica, which considers a strategic agent of the economy, not only Spanish but also European, and that has managed to advance and be a engine of transformation. Ensures that your ambition is make it even more relevant strengthening its position in the digital infrastructure market.

This implies, as pointed out, adapting to the movements that Telefónica is observing in the environment. “In recent months we have seen changes in the geostrategic environment and technological disruptions that force our strategy to accelerate in a sector that is necessary for technological sovereignty in Europe”Mutra said in his first intervention. “Given the fragmentation of telecommunications, Europe must allow consolidation to guarantee healthy and competitive sector”

For this he has promised, and repeated on numerous occasions, the realization of a “Strategic reflection”, Whose conclusions will be shared at the beginning of the second half of this year. “Winds of change in Europe blow and start a strategic reflection. We are not going to be observers, we will be part of the change we see coming”, Said Marc Murtra in his first press conference as president of Telefónica.

Throughout the session he has given some more details of what this strategic reflection will consist of. He has pointed out, among other things, that Telefónica’s priorities will be a review based on the logic of the industry, the maintenance of the focus on the key and Core business, the impulse of consolidation in Europe for reinforce European strategic autonomy, and the creation of value for shareholders and interest groups.

“We are going to do a strategic review of all businesses to see how to adapt to the new situation. We will always do what the advice says”; He has repeated on numerous occasions. However, Murtra seems inclined to continue with the company’s project. “There is continuity, coherence and respect for what has been done, which is a very good job, and will continue having it, ”he said. “But we are in a new and different environment and we want to adapt”

Telefónica wants consolidation in Europe

With this, Murtra has alluded to the political and commercial movements of great powers such as the United States and China and the recent statements of European political leaders about the need for a united, reinforced and independent European Union. “An important part of strategic autonomy goes through telecommunications. Through the mobile all our communications, preferences, acquisitions, bank information or romantic life pass”; Marc Murtra commented. “Our vision and analysis lead us to say that there will be drastic changes in Europe. We are going to analyze at what speed and when and how do they happen”

In this sense, he has referred to the need for consolidate the telecommunications industry and reduce fragmentation. “Europe has 41 operators with more than half a million customers, in the United States there are 5, and China is a much less fragmented market”, He said. “We do not want to be a passive actor. We have a knowledge, a role and a story that allow us to help and see a clear opportunity to lead”

The president of Telefónica has not commented on how many telecommunications operators would be adequate for Europe, but has indicated that over the last years the large years technological and business changes They have been led by companies “They have a relevant scale beyond a Member State of the European Union, has healthy margins and with the capacity to invest in the long term”

From all this it is inferred that Murtra’s ambition is to place Telefónica at the head of that consolidation and position yourself as a leading agent in Europe. However, he pointed out that he still does a great tour and it is necessary to work to reach that consolidation scenario. It has not revealed if the company is in conversations to perform some type of operation.

Regarding strategic reflection, Murtra has commented, among other things, that it does not anticipate that it implies the incursion of Telefónica in new industries, such as defense or aerospace. In the same way that, for the moment, it does not estimate changes in the company’s management team. “We are going to adapt the strategy to the changes we see that they are happening and depending on what we believe should happen to meet the objectives and for what is good for the sector”He has influenced. “We will analyze the markets well to have solid and ambitious strategy and assume risks where necessary”

Murtra’s vision of artificial intelligence

He has also dedicated a moment to sharer Your vision on the current technological moment. In this regard, he pointed out that in order to act efficiently and with good results, we know how to identify well what technology has a substance and what is only “hype.” Thus, he has expressed that Artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence They are extraordinarily disruptive and with great potential to change many things.

“At the same time, creating technology is extraordinarily difficult and is not cheap. Organizations must be very concentrated with respect to the rhythm that technology really advances”He said. And regarding AI has advanced that the company also has to reflect on how activate artificial intelligence In his Core markets, and how “apply aggressively, but rigorously”This tool in its own operations to improve their activity and customer experience.

Regarding financial results, Telefónica managers value solid performance and highlight compliance with objectives. In the last quarter of 2024 the company obtained, excluding extraordinary impacts, such as restructuring costs or accounting impairments, a adjusted net profit of 425 million euros in the fourth quarter and 2,304 million euros.
However, these impacts have given rise to net losses of 1,003 million euros in the fourth quarter, which in the year of year have been at 49 million euros.

In addition, revenues grew 1.6%, up to 41,315 million euros, and above the goal of rising around 1%; While Ebitda has increased 1.2%, up to 13,276 million euros, inside the fork located between 1% and 2%. He also pointed out that in 2024 increased its customer base And the year has closed with a total of 390 million