Financial Performance - Company revenues increased by 5.9% year on year in US dollars, with EBITDA growing by 13.2% year on year [7][31] - For the first half of the year, US dollar revenues grew by 7.3% year on year, and US dollar EBITDA grew by 13.4% year on year [7][31] - In local currency terms, revenues grew by 11.2% in Q2, outpacing inflation and nominal GDP growth [7][31] - EBITDA in local currency grew by 19.6%, reflecting a focus on profitable growth [8][32] Business Lines Performance - Direct digital revenues grew by 57% year on year in dollar terms, now contributing 16.5% of total group revenues [9][31] - Telecom and infrastructure segment revenues grew by 2% in US dollars and 7.4% in local currency terms on a like-for-like basis [16][32] - Digital services now account for 16.5% of total revenues, highlighting their growing relevance in the business model [32] Market Performance - Strong double-digit revenue growth was delivered across all markets except Bangladesh, where a gradual recovery in consumer sentiment is noted [24] - Revenues in Ukraine grew by 25.9%, with EBITDA increasing by 23.6% [25] - In Kazakhstan, revenues grew by 14.5% on a like-for-like basis, accounting for TNS Plus deconsolidation [24] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on an asset-light model, prioritizing large population underserved markets and expanding digital services [12][36] - A strategic infrastructure pooling partnership with ENGRO in Pakistan has been closed, unlocking significant value [10] - The company is executing a series of transactions aligned with its strategy, including the proposed Nasdaq listing for Kyivstar [11][36] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business despite macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility [36] - The outlook for the full year has been revised, expecting revenue growth of 13% to 15% and EBITDA growth of 14% to 16% [37] - Inflation trends are being monitored closely, with a slight uptick noted across markets [38] Other Important Information - The company completed a $100 million share buyback program, repurchasing close to 3% of its shares [11] - Net debt, excluding leases, stood at $1.96 billion as of June, with a cash balance of $1.28 billion [19][34] - The company is focused on enhancing financial flexibility through bond issuances and repayments [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the proceeds from the Engro sale be fed up to the holding company? - The proceeds will be upstreamed in equal installments through dividends, allowing for proper allocation for debt repayments or potential M&A opportunities [45][46] Question: What should be expected in the third quarter numbers around the SPAC impacts? - The SPAC impact will be calculated based on the closing price of the stock on the first trading day, with a noncash P&L impact expected between $150 million to $200 million [49][50] Question: What strategies are in place to drive 4G adoption? - The company is focusing on increasing coverage and quality of 4G services and entering the smartphone business to enhance digital service consumption [59][60] Question: How does the company plan to monetize its fintech assets? - The company is patient in developing the value of its fintech assets, with significant growth momentum observed, particularly in JazzCash [92][93] Question: When does the company expect to see ARPU close to $3? - The current multiplay ARPU is at $3.4, and as the proportion of multiplay customers increases, overall ARPU is expected to rise [98][100] Question: Will there be tailored smartphones for better penetration of digital apps? - The company has started actively deploying tailored smartphones in Kazakhstan, with promising early results [102]

Core Viewpoint - A federal judge has allowed a significant antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed, challenging the company's alleged monopoly in the smartphone market [1][2]. Group 1: Antitrust Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, initiated by the US Department of Justice and 20 states in March 2024, accuses Apple of illegally monopolizing smartphone markets through restrictive practices against app developers and device manufacturers [2][4]. - District Judge Julien Neals ruled that the government has sufficiently demonstrated that Apple holds monopoly power in the smartphone market and engages in anticompetitive behavior [2][3]. Group 2: Market Share and Monopoly Power - Apple reportedly controls 65% of the overall US smartphone market and 70% of the premium "performance smartphone" market, which excludes lower-end devices [3]. - The judge noted that these market share figures, along with significant barriers to entry, indicate Apple's monopoly power and justify proceeding to trial [3]. Group 3: Internal Communications and Potential Remedies - The ruling referenced internal communications from Apple executives that allegedly reveal intentions to maintain monopoly power, including efforts to prevent users from switching to competing devices [5]. - If the government prevails at trial, potential remedies for Apple could include changes to business practices or orders to divest parts of its device and software operations [5]. Group 4: Broader Antitrust Context - This case is part of a series of major antitrust challenges facing Apple, which also includes accusations of taking a large cut from proceeds of outside apps on its devices [7]. - The lawsuit is one of five significant cases initiated during the Trump and Biden administrations targeting major tech companies, including Meta and Amazon [7].