India' Bharti Airtel has reported a 170.2% increase in net profit for the second quarter to achieve its highest quarterly profit since the quarter ending in March 2011.
Net income grew to 13.83 billion rupees ($225.1 million), on the back of improved operational efficiency and higher revenue.
Consolidated revenue grew 7.1% year-on-year to 228.45 billion rupees, with mobile data revenue surging 66.7% to contribute more than two thirds of incremental revenue.
India revenue grew 12.3% over the same period. Mobile voice ARPU improved marginally to 37.69 paisa per minute, and mobile data revenue from the market swelled 73.8% to 18.05 billion rupees.
Africa revenues by comparison increased by 6.4% in local currency, but by just 1.9% in US dollar terms. Data revenues were up 57.8% year-on-year to $115 million.
Airtel's bottom line was also assisted by lower forex, operational and derivative losses and lower mark to market losses on investments.
Airtel CEO India and South Asia Gopal Vittal said the operator is seeking to capitalize on the strong mobile data momentum.
“Airtel's pioneering 4G rollout in 15 cities is now witnessing stronger customer acceptance,” he said.
“On the regulatory front, the recent TRAI recommendations on making more contiguous spectrum available in the upcoming auctions have the potential of transforming the industry. We believe that this is critical to realise the exciting vision of "Digital India" that the Government has articulated.”