(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Vodafone Qatar delivered strong numbers for the six months ended September 2014, recording a total revenue of QR1.14bn, up 24 percent from a year ago. The mobile customer base expanded by 16 percent to over 1.2 million compared to September 2013.
EBITDA achieved QR295m, reflecting 41 percent year-on-year growth and the distributable profit increased by 190 percent to reach QR120m. The mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 3 percent on year-on-year.
Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, Vodafone Qatar's Chairman said: "Vodafone Qatar's revenue growth for the half-year was driven by a combination of continued customer growth.... During the first half of the year, we launched a number of new products into the market which have been positively received, particularly amongst our Qatari customers. We continue to see success in our postpaid services which contributed to a 3 percent ARPU improvement."
The first half recorded a net loss of QR81m. This is an underlying improvement of 49 percent compared to the same period last year.
"We continue to invest heavily in our network, building new indoor and outdoor sites and upgrading sites in key locations. In areas that are densely populated, we are increasing network capacity to ensure we deliver a great experience to our customers. 4G coverage expansion is ongoing; we have introduced 4G in Wakra, Hamad International Airport and also increased our coverage in the desert area - so customers can enjoy Vodafone 4G services whilst they are camping. We have also launched 4G roaming so our customers can enjoy their 4G services when they travel abroad to Saudi Arabia, Spain, Romania and Netherlands", Sheikh Dr Khalid added.
Vodafone Qatar is currently focusing on its ability to lay a state-of-the-art fibre optic infrastructure in Qatar which is a key enabler to the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the drive for Qatar to become a knowledge-based economy. Vodafone's commitment to build a world class converged network in Qatar underpins our desire to offer customers greater choice, greater product innovation and meet the burgeoning demand for data services."
Chief Executive Officer Kyle Whitehill said the company has delivered a continued growth. EBITDA margins improved by 3 percentage points year-on-year to 26 percent. The loss per share for the period is QR0.10 compared with QR0.19 for the same period last year. Qatar bourse's upgrade by the MSCI has helped narrow down the loss per share.
Regarding Vodafone Qatar's deal with Qatar National Broadband Network, the CEO said Vodafone Qatar is still in the early stages of the deal. "We will buy all QNBN's 21 million shares, pending regulatory approvals", he said.
Chief Financial Officer Steve Walters said Vdoafone Qatar is expected to turn profitable in 2015.
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