Dialog Axiata sees 9% revenue growth at Rs. 63 bln

Dialog Axiata PLC (Dialog) said its mobile, international and tele-infrastructure segments of the group portfolio continued to contribute a major share of group revenue (84 per cent ) and group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) at 85 per cent.

"On the back of its mobile customer base of over 10.8 million subscribers, Dialog's revenue for FY 2015 grew by 9 per cent year on year (YoY) to be recorded at Rs 62.9 billion. Underpinned by strong revenue growth and positive outcomes from cost management initiatives, its EBITDA recorded a growth of 10 per cent YoY to reach Rs20.3 billion for FY 2015, translating to an EBITDA margin of 32.3 per cent," a Dialog media release said.

It said that the company's net profit after tax (NPAT) was impacted by non-cash translational foreign exchange losses accruing from the 9.2 per cent YoY depreciation of the rupee amounting to Rs 2 billion. Accordingly Dialog’s NPAT contracted by 17 per cent YoY to be recorded at Rs 5.7 billion for FY 2015.

"On normalising for the exceptional foreign exchange losses, Dialog's NPAT was recorded at Rs 7.8 billion for FY 2015, representing an increase of 9 per cent YoY. Dialog Television (DTV), the Digital Pay Television business of the group continued its positive growth momentum, recording a revenue growth of 23 per cent YoY to reach Rs5.8 billion for FY 2015. DTV’s Pay TV customer base was recorded at 650,000 subscriptions as at the end of December 2015. DTV engaged in an aggressive service and product enhancement programme during 2015 featuring the expansion of channel genres and the launch of new prepaid product offerings.”

It said capital expenditure was directed towards investments in high speed broadband infrastructure alongside the extension of the group’s Optical Fibre Network, and investments associated with the final phase of the Bay of Bengal Gateway (BBG) Sub-Marine Cable project.