Telenor revenue, ARPU, Capex and Opex in Q3

Telenor Group has revealed the company’s performance – revenue, ARPU, Capex, Opex, among others during Q3 2018, for its main countries.
Telenor Q3 2018 network

Norway

Telenor Norway added 8,000 mobile post-paid subscriptions and 9,000 fibre connections in the quarter.

Telenor Norway’s total number of mobile subscriptions increased by 2,000. The number of fixed high-speed subscriptions grew by 7,000 in the quarter, taking the total number of high-speed fixed internet subscriptions to 643,000.

Mobile ARPU remained stable as effects from regulation on 3/5-digit numbers were offset by growth in subscriptions with higher data bundles.

Mobile subscription and traffic revenue decreased by 2 percent. Total revenues increased by 1 percent, mainly from higher handset sales. Opex remained stable as lower personnel costs were offset by increased sales and marketing expenses.

Telenor Norway’s EBITDA decreased by 6 percent due to reduction in gross profit following lower revenues from fixed legacy and mobile wholesale products, partly offset by growth in fibre related revenues. Telenor Norway’s Capex was driven by fibre roll-out, 4G network expansions and IT development.

Sweden

Telenor Sweden added 25,000 mobile subscriptions and almost 8,000 fibre connections. The total number of high-speed fixed internet subscriptions rose 5 percent to reach 601,000. Telenor Sweden’s mobile subscription and traffic revenues fell 1 percent mainly driven by reduced ARPU and lower volumes in the business segment.

Fixed revenues of Telenor Sweden fell 2 percent as growth in internet and TV revenues could not offset the decline within legacy products and lower fibre installation revenues.

Opex decreased 3 percent, mainly due to lower sales and personnel costs. EBITDA increased by 1 percent with a slightly increased EBITDA margin of 36 percent.

Telenor Sweden’s capital expenditure focus was mainly prioritised towards mobile network investments and digitalisation initiatives.

Denmark

Telenor Denmark has lost 28,000 mobile subscribers due to churn of a large public account. Mobile ARPU improved by 5 percent as a result of loss of low value subscriptions as well as upselling to higher value tariffs.

Telenor Denmark’s mobile subscription and traffic revenues rose by 1 percent as a result of higher ARPU.

Operating expenditures of Telenor Denmark fell as a result of a more efficient operation with fewer employees, reduced losses on receivables as well as lower sales costs. EBITDA margin reached 24 percent, up by 4 percentage points.

Telenor Denmark’s Capex was focused on 4G radio network and business support systems.

dtac – Thailand

dtac – Thailand purchased 2×5 MHz block in the 1800 MHz spectrum band in the auction held in August.

dtac – Thailand lost pre-paid and post-paid subscriptions. The total number of subscriptions decreased 0.3 million in the quarter.

dtac – Thailand’s revenues fell 4 percent due to reduced sale of handsets, lower interconnect revenues and lower subscription base.

Subscription and traffic revenues decreased 2 percent. Opex decreased by 10 percent, primarily from lower regulatory fees. The EBITDA margin decreased 1 percentage point to 40 percent.

dtac – Thailand’s Capex was prioritised towards densifying both 3G and 4G, including roll-out in the 2300 MHz spectrum band.

Digi – Malaysia

Digi – Malaysia added post-paid and pre-paid subscriptions, taking the total base to 11.8 million.

Subscription and traffic revenues were flat as a 15 percent growth in post-paid was offset by decline in the pre-paid business.

Opex fell 1 percent, mainly from reduced sales and marketing expenses and lower personnel costs after transition to a centralised network management service. EBITDA dropped by 1 percent mainly as a result of reduction in gross profit from increased acquisition costs party offset by lower opex. The EBITDA margin remained stable at 46 percent.

Digi – Malaysia’s Capex for the quarter was prioritised towards IT and strengthening the 4G network.

Grameenphone – Bangladesh

Grameenphone added 2.2 million (+12 percent) subscriptions to reach 71.4 million in Bangladesh. Grameenphone’s subscription and traffic revenues increased 8 percent as the growth in subscription base was partly offset by a 5 percent decline in ARPU mainly from lower voice usage.

Grameenphone’s total revenues increased 3 percent. EBITDA increased 9 percent as gross profit uplift was partly offset by a slight increase in Opex. EBITDA margin improved by 3 percentage points to 62 percent.

Grameenphone’s Capex was prioritised towards continued network rollout and strengthened network position.

Pakistan

Telenor Pakistan lost 0.3 million subscribers during the quarter, taking the total base to 42.9 million.

Telenor Pakistan’s subscription and traffic revenues increased 10 percent, primarily from higher subscription base and the effect of tax abolishment. EBITDA margin of Telenor Pakistan was 78 percent.

Telenor Pakistan’s Capex focus was in the expansion of the 4G footprint in addition to IT infrastructure.

Telenor Myanmar

Telenor Myanmar lost 1 million subscribers, taking the total base to 18 million. Telenor Myanmar’s subscription and traffic revenues fell 9 percent due to reduced prices for voice and data pack promotions.

Telenor Myanmar ARPU decreased 8 percent as the growth in data volumes was not sufficient to offset the reduced prices.

EBITDA fell by 27 percent mainly as a result of declining revenues in addition to 6 percent increase in operating expenses. EBITDA margin was 34 percent.

Telenor Myanmar’s Capex was driven by network expansion, 4G roll-out and fibre capacity.