DOHA: Vodafone Qatar delivered a total revenue of QR1.6bn for the nine months ended December 2015, 8 percent decline over the same period last year. The quarterly revenue touched QR537m, or 2 percent, improvement compared to September 2015.
Vodafone Qatar’s total number of mobile customers increased 6 percent to 1,501,000 during the nine-month period, compared to December 2014. Mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) was QR110, 12 percent year-on-year reduction.
The company’s EBITDA achieved QR343m for the nine-month period, 19 percent lower year-on-year, representing an EBITDA margin of 21 percent. The net loss for the period stood at QR286m delivering a loss per share of QR (0.34).
Vodafone Qatar’s quarterly performance shows that the company’s total mobile customers increase 1 percent compared to September 2015. Revenue growth during the period would have been 5 percent had the regulated mobile termination rate not been reduced.
Mobile ARPU was QR107; a 4 percent decline since September 2015 due to the cut in mobile termination rate. EBITDA achieved QR132m for the period, 31 percent higher quarter-on-quarter, delivering an EBITDA margin of 24.5 percent.
The net loss for the quarter stood at QR72m, a 37 percent improvement on the previous quarter and representing a loss per share of QR (0.09).
Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani (pictured), Vodafone Qatar’s Chairman commented: “Vodafone Qatar’s results for the quarter show healthy earnings growth as a result of top line improvement and cost optimisation. The growth has been driven by ever increasing demand for data products and we shall need to review our cost base further to ensure we sustain our margins.
“During the period, we have invested a further QR119m in our network infrastructure, as part of our ongoing focus on customer experience to deliver world class network quality and customer service. As a reflection of our confidence in our new and improved network, we launched a first of its kind ‘money back promise’ that offers new customers who are not fully satisfied with our service their money back.”
The Peninsula
