Robi\\\'s H1 data revenue leaps 113pc

Mobile telephony firm Robi said Thursday its revenue grew by 6.9 per cent, although net profit fell by 2.6 per cent in January-June period.
The Robi Axiata Limited said the drop in the profit is mainly because of slow growth of voice revenue and additional investment in spectrum and CAPEX (capital expenditure) to support 3.5G network operation across the country.
Robi's Managing Director and CEO Supun Weerasinghe unveiled the business update of the company at a city hotel.
The data showed the first six months of the calendar year, the company delivered a revenue growth of 6.9 per cent against the same period last year with a remarkable data revenue growth of 113.7 per cent, thanks to the overwhelming 3.5G and 2.5G services.
In a statement, Robi said despite slow growth in subscribers, the company delivered a strong 5.0 per cent quarter on quarter (QoQ) growth to register Tk12.3 billion revenue in Q2, 2014, whereas it achieved an impressive growth of 28.3 per cent in data revenue driven by 3.5G services.
Earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 14.5 per cent during the period and the company added another 1.7 million fresh subscribers to reach the baseline to 24 million, grabbing almost 20.6 per cent of the total subscribers in the country.
On QoQ basis, total subscriber base of the company increased from 23.9 million to 24 million recording a 0.3 per cent growth while EBITDA grew by 3.8 per cent to Tk4.9 billion in Q2.
However, in the second quarter (Q2), the operators' subscriber growth slowed down slightly due to renewed competitive pressure in the market and focus on acquisition of quality subscribers.
The telecom operator has vowed to continue pump more money into cost effective 3.5G and 2G services in voice and data for the customers across the country.
In Q2, the operator made Tk4.9 billion in total CAPEX investment, representing cumulative investment of Tk 9.9 billion during the first six months of the year.
On year to year (YoY), the company delivered a moderate 5.8 per cent revenue growth to reach Tk12.3 billion in Q2 in 2014 from Tk11.6 billion of Q2 in 2013 while on a YoY basis EBITDA registered another healthy double digit growth of 15 per cent to Tk4.9 billion in 2014 from Tk 4.2billion in Q2 of 2013.
Mr Ahmed said his company has experienced a slower growth of voice revenue due to "significant" price pressure in the market.
However, it has witnessed a robust growth of revenue with 122.4 per cent during the same period, the official said, adding almost all of the major cities have been brought under the Robi's 3.5G networks.
Replying to a question, the official said currently nearly 1.5 million subscribers are enjoying the company's 3.5G services contributing over 50 per cent of the total data revenue.
He, however, sought necessary help from the government to ensure smartphone at an affordable cost to get the desired outcomes from services. "Currently, only eight per cent customers have the 3G-enabled mobile", he said.
Mr Ahmed said Robi has introduced unified data pricing across the country that made adoption of data services easier and cost effective for the clienteles.
He noted Robi has introduced HD voice quality service to enhance customer experience in voice services.  
Mr Weerasinghe said Robi has recorded a stable growth across all the parameters since the start of the current year.
The company's top official said they are investing significantly towards expanding their 3.5G networks across the country and to support the growth in data usage.
However, the official forecast a slower growth in the next half year of the calendar due to slow growth of voice revenue and imposition of new taxes by the government.
"The slow growth of the voice revenues and imposition of new taxes may be impacted in the next half of the year", he added.
Robi's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mahtab Uddin Ahmed and Vice President, Corporate Communication and Media Relation, Sayed Talat Kamal,  among others, were addressed the event.