Bharti Airtel posts 30.5% risein 4Q net

Bharti Airtel has posted a 30.5 per cent rise in fourth quarter consolidated net profit, buoyant on a subscriber growth for its mobile data services, at Rs1,255 crore.

The company, the top mobile operator in the country, had posted a a net profit of Rs962 crore during the same period a year ago.

''The year has ended on a healthy note, with revenue growth accelerating to 12.1 per cent in FY 2014-15, from 9.9 per cent and 9.5 per cent respectively in the previous two years. Once again, the 20,000-strong Airtel family has stood together to deliver these results. Airtel is spearheading the country's digital agenda with substantial investments in the internet space,'' said Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO, India & South Asia.

''The cumulative investment of Rs68,000 crores in spectrum is a reflection of our commitment to the cause of a Digital India, and our belief in the potential of the exciting opportunity,'' Vittal added.

Bharti Airtel's total revenues rose 4 per cent to Rs23,016 crore (Rs22,219 crore) during the quarter. The growth was reflected by up in average revenue per user (ARPU), a financial metric for a telecom operator, more customer base and more mobile data revenues during the quarter.

The company's annual consolidated revenues grew by 7.3 per cent to Rs92,039 crore over the previous year, led by topline growth in India.

''Airtel Africa grew net revenues by 7.5 per cent in constant currency terms during FY 2014-15 amidst rather tough economic conditions - results of the commitment demonstrated by the 5,000 - strong Airtel family in Africa. This was also a year when we re-aligned our organisation to bring sharper market and customer focus,'' Christian de Faria, MD and CEO, Africa, said.

''Overall customer base grew by 6.8 million during the year and Airtel Money customer base by 2.7 million. With 3G operations now in all 17 countries and with 3,088 new 3G sites, data revenues have increased by 61.3 per cent in constant currency terms,'' he added.