Global telecom carrier Telenor today said its first quarter (Q1 2014) revenues rose 7.3 percent to NOK 26,515 million, while profit grew 2 percent to NOK 3,676 million.
Its Q1 2014 Capex (capital spending) on telecom infrastructure rose 29 percent to NOK 3,694 million.
Telenor said Asia generated 45 percent revenue and 46 percent EBITDA, while Europe 24 percent revenue and 21 percent EBITDA, Norway 24 percent revenue and 30 percent EBITDA.
“We added 6 million new mobile subscribers in the first quarter of 2014, the company’s best customer surge in two years. This growth was mainly driven by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The underlying mobile service revenue growth improved to 5 percent in the quarter,” said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, president and CEO of Telenor Group.
Telenor performance in India
Uninor, the subsidiary of Telenor in India, has added 2.5 million new mobile subscribers in the first quarter of 2014.
It achieved 13 percent organic ARPU growth to Rs 106. However, comparing with Q4 2013, ARPU did not grow.
Uninor reported 44 percent organic growth in revenue. EBITDA was 55.2 percent. Net debt of Uninor was NOK 741 million.
The company added 1,036 new sites.
Norway
Due to rising demand for larger data packages, Telenor Norway mobile revenue growth was more than 3 percent in the quarter. Telenor is implementing a technology shift with an annual investment of more than NOK 4 billion.
Thailand
The company has transferred 60 percent of its customers to new 3G network in Thailand.
Mobile data focus
Out of the total customer base of 172 million subscribers, 20 percent are currently active internet users.
Capex
Capex to sales ratio will be maintained at 16 percent for 2014, the company said.
Telenor’s Capex for Q1 2014 for India was NOK 117 million, Myanmar NOK 302 million, Thailand NOK 554 million, Malaysia NOK 372 million, Bangladesh NOK 217 million, Pakistan NOK 202 million, Sweden NOK 269 million, Denmark NOK 144 million, Hungary NOK 54 million, Montenegro and Sebia NOK 60 million, Norway NOK 1,048 million and Bulgaria NOK 49 million.
In Norway, its Capex focus was on fiber and 4G. Telenor said 4G LTE coverage is reaching 57 percent at present.
Telenor is planning network renovation in Bulgaria in Q2.
In Bangladesh, 3G roll out is completed in 64 district headquarters.
In Malaysia, the focus was on 3G, 4G and fiber backhaul.
