Bharti Airtel has reported an year-over-year loss of 30% (29.8%) in the second quarter 2012-13; its net income dipped from Rs 1,027 crore in Q2 2011 to Rs 721 crore in Q2 2012-13. And its sequential net income declined by 5.3%, from Rs 762 crore in Q1 2012 to Rs 721 crore this quarter.
The company posted a consolidated revenue of Rs 20,273 crore in Q2 2012-13, up by 17.4% y-o-y, as compared to Rs 17,270 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. It EBITDA increased by 9.2% from Rs 5,815 crore in Septemeber 2011 to Rs 6,351 crore in Septemeber 2012; led by strong growth of 77% in India Mobile Data, 26% in ‘airtel businessâ€TM (B2B), 26% in Digital TV and 29% in Africa. Mobile voice revenues in India were depressed due to the seasonal effect.
The Company's efforts to counter economic headwinds were successful in Q2 in terms of minutes elasticity. Amidst intensified competitive pressures, Airtel has continued to keep its prime focus on leading the market development through network (including 3G) and distribution expansion, and affordable pricing.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti Airtel said, "Despite a seasonally weak quarter, I am pleased to see that our overall revenue growth has sustained through diversified segments and geographies as well as the continuing healthy demand in data services. I am also happy to note that in India, the much needed market corrections in customer acquisition practices have been put in place by the operators. Our African operations continue to reflect sustained and steady growth on all major parameters of revenues, profitability and cash flow"Â.
In Africa the company recorded a consolidated revenue of Rs 109 crore in this quarter.
The revenue for tower infrastructure services stood at Rs 2,556 crore in Q2 2012-13, up by 8% y-o-y.
As on September 30, 2012 it had over 185.9 million mobile customers and 5.4 million 3G customers in India. The company had 58.7 million customers on its network in Africa and it added 2.8 million during this quarter.