Robi logs record quarterly profit on strong data revenue

Robi Axiata reported a record quarterly profit of Tk 2.32 billion in the January-March period this year, supported by strong revenue growth and disciplined cost management despite a challenging business environment.
The second-largest telecom operator's first-quarter profit surged 86 per cent in the March quarter this year compared to the same period of the previous year.

It maintained a profit margin of 9.2 per cent, with earnings per share (EPS) increasing to Tk 0.44 in the quarter to March from Tk 0.24 in the same period of the previous year.
Robi registered 8.1 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue to Tk 25.31 billion in the January-March quarter, largely supported by data revenue.
A statement quoted Ziad Shatara, managing director and CEO of Robi Axiata, as saying that the company achieved higher revenue on the back of robust growth in data revenue, driven by sizable additions of data and 4G users and increased data usage per user.
He attributed the outstanding business performance to AI-driven personalised products and service offerings, backed by continued investment in network expansion.
"We have been able to deliver healthy profit for shareholders by maintaining a disciplined approach to cost management and investment planning," he said, adding that operational excellence helped boost profitability amid macroeconomic pressures.
The telecom operator's EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) margin remained strong at around 53.3 per cent in the March quarter, growing 21.6 per cent year-on-year, reflecting continued efficiency in operations and cost control.
"We remain optimistic about sustaining this momentum as the economic environment gradually improves," the CEO said.
Through the deployment of new spectrum and new sites, Robi's active subscriber base reached 57.4 million at the end of the March quarter. The telecom operator had 1 million more subscribers in the first quarter this year compared to the same quarter last year.
Robi's data subscriber base reached 44.5 million, with 2 million more data subscribers in Q1 compared to the same quarter last year, while 40.3 million subscribers are using the 4G network - the highest proportion among operators in Bangladesh.
Average monthly data usage per user rose to 8.95 GB during the quarter, up 15.4 per cent year-on-year, indicating sustained momentum in digital consumption.
"This stellar performance reflects the trust Robi's subscribers have in its strong network, while Robi's journey of digital transformation continued to gather momentum," the CEO added.
For the last several years, Robi has been investing heavily in spectrum, network expansion, and expanding its digital business, emerging as a strong player in the industry.
It invested around Tk 3.5 billion in the March quarter to improve network coverage and expansion. The telecom operator also invested Tk 13.04 billion in 2025 to improve network coverage and expansion.
As part of the company's drive to strengthen its network, Robi's total number of 4G sites reached 19.3K at the end of the March quarter, providing coverage to 98.98 per cent of the population, the telecom operator claimed.
Having attained 4G leadership, Robi was the first telecom operator to launch 5G service in September last year and is working to build the ecosystem for the expansion of 5G services.
Robi also made significant contributions to the national exchequer, paying Tk 20.74 billion during the quarter - equivalent to 82 per cent of its revenue - through various taxes and fees. The telecom operator also paid Tk 262 billion last year in various taxes.
Annual performance
Robi secured a record profit of Tk 9.37 billion in 2025, supported by lower operating expenses and the easing impact of currency devaluation.
The telecom operator's annual profit jumped more than 33 per cent year-on-year despite marginal revenue growth of 1 per cent to Tk 99.92 billion in 2025.
Buoyed by profit growth, Robi declared a 17.5 per cent cash dividend for 2025, the highest since its listing in 2020.
Meanwhile, Robi's shares closed at Tk 29.6 on Thursday on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, remaining unchanged from the previous day.
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