Despite a challenging business environment, Robi Axiata reported a modest increase in second-quarter (Q2) profit, driven by strong data revenue growth, an expanding subscriber base and disciplined cost management.
The country's second-largest mobile operator reported a profit after tax of Tk 2.63 billion for the April-June quarter of 2026, up 2.1 per cent from Tk 2.57 billion in the same period a year earlier.
The company's board of directors approved the unaudited financial statements and released the results on Tuesday.
The earnings growth came as quarterly revenue surpassed the Tk 27 billion mark for the first time. Total revenue registered a 6.1 per cent year-on-year growth to Tk 27.12 billion from Tk 25.55 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Mobile data services remained the key growth driver. Mobile data revenue increased 5.4 per cent to Tk 24.60 billion, accounting for more than 90 per cent of total revenue during the quarter.
Revenue from other services recorded a robust 43 per cent jump to Tk 1.27 billion, reflecting the telecom operator's efforts to diversify its income streams. However, interconnection revenue declined 6.2 per cent to Tk 1.25 billion, partly offsetting the gains from its core business.
Robi's operating performance improved at a faster pace than its bottom line. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) climbed 10.8 per cent to Tk 14.93 billion from Tk 13.47 billion a year earlier, indicating stronger operating efficiency and revenue generation.
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) also increased 3.7 per cent year-on-year to Tk 6.69 billion. The operator continued to strengthen its market position through subscriber growth and higher data usage.
Its total subscriber base reached 58.6 million at the end of June 2026, up from 57.4 million a year earlier. The number of data subscribers rose to 46.2 million, compared with 44.1 million in the same quarter last year, underscoring the sustained expansion of mobile internet adoption.
Higher customer engagement also translated into improved revenue generation. Average revenue per user (ARPU) increased to Tk 156 from Tk 150 in the same quarter a year ago, while average monthly data consumption per subscriber grew to 9,163 MB from 8,679 MB, reflecting customers' increasing reliance on digital services, video streaming and online applications.
Robi significantly stepped up investment in network expansion and service quality during the quarter. Capital expenditure, excluding spectrum and right-of-use assets, surged to Tk 7.22 billion, more than three times the Tk 2.28 billion invested in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
The latest quarterly results indicate that the telecom sector continues to benefit from growing demand for mobile internet services, with data usage remaining the key driver of revenue growth despite pressure on traditional voice and interconnection businesses.
By the end of June, Robi's network comprised 19,767 on-air sites, including 19,646 4G sites, highlighting the operator's continued focus on expanding nationwide 4G coverage and improving network capacity to support rising data traffic.
The company's half-yearly profit climbed more than 29 per cent year-on-year to Tk 4.95 billion in the January-June 2026, driven by strong revenue growth, higher data consumption and an expanding subscriber base.
Robi's shares closed at Tk 32.60 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Tuesday, gaining 0.31 per cent over the previous trading session.
Annual performance
Robi secured a record profit of Tk 9.37 billion in 2025, supported by lower operating expenses and easing impact of currency devaluation.
Its annual profit jumped more than 33 per cent year-on-year despite a marginal 1 per cent revenue growth to Tk 99.92 billion in 2025.
Buoyed by profit growth, Robi had declared a 17.5 per cent cash dividend for 2025, the highest since its listing in 2020.
Robi joined the stock market in December 2020 by raising Tk 5.24 billion from the primary market. Asian telecom giant Axiata Group Berhad, based in Malaysia, holds a 61.82 per cent share in Robi Axiata, while Bharti Airtel holds a 28.18 per cent stake and the general public holds the remaining 10 per cent.
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