INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel on Tuesday reported a bigger-than-expected loss of Rs 1,035 crore, but improvement in mobile average revenue per
user (ARPU), highest-ever quarterly rise in 4G users, surge in data traffic and likely tariff hikes were among the key positives
numbers:Tariff hikes likely: Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO of India - South Asia, said that tariff revision in December was a welcome step
invest in emerging technologies.
The company said its mobile revenues for the quarter rose 9.6 per cent, which in some part was benefitted
by the tariff actions, even as the full impact of the December tariff hike is yet to be seen.
Fundraising removes AGR uncertainty: The
company said it has successfully raised Rs 21,502 crore through a combination of fresh equity issuance via qualified institutional placement
and issue of convertible bonds
fresh equity and long-term financing via convertible bonds subsequent to the reporting period ended December 31 and available
third-straight quarter of consolidated losses for Bharti Airtel
The telecom operator had reported a loss of Rs 23,145.60 crore in the September quarter and Rs 2,485.30 crore loss in the June quarter
The steep losses in September quarter were on account of liability or provisions of Rs 34,260 crore, of which Rs 28,450 crore were recorded
as an exceptional item.
Highest ever 4G subscriber addition: 4G subscriber addition during the quarter at 2.1 crore was highest ever
Vittal said that the company was on track to shut down 3G networks across India and refarm the 900 and 2100 band spectrum to further boost
its 4G footprint.
Mobile Arpu improved: India mobile Arpu for the quarter rose to Rs 135 from Rs 128 in the September quarter and Rs 104 in
the same quarter last year
Mobile data traffic increased to 5,166 petabyte in the quarter compared with 2,996 petabyte in the corresponding quarter last year.
Ebit
margins expand: Ebit margins for the quarter rose to 10.9 per cent in the December quarter from 9.4 per cent in the September quarter and 4
per cent in the year-ago period.
Capital expenditure drops: Capital expenditure for the quarter fell to Rs 5,183 crore compared with Rs
Consolidated operating free cash flow during the quarter stood at Rs 4,167 crore against cash burn of Rs 260.90 crore in the corresponding
quarter last year and cash flow of Rs 5,146 crore in the previous quarter.
