Aided by good show of group companies in Qatar, Iraq, Algeria, Palestine and Indonesia, Qtel posted a nine-month net profit of QR2.4bn ($660 million), up 12.6% on the same period in 2011.
Qtel group revenue has seen growth during the period and totaled QR25bn, up 6.1% on the same period in 2011. Group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) for the period stood at QR11.7bn compared with QR10.9bn in the same period last year.
The earnings per share (EPS) stood at QR8.34 in nine months up to September compared with QR8.17 in the same period last year.
Qtel Group’s financial highlights for nine months up to September, show the customer base reaching 89.2mn compared with 82.4mn in the same period in 2011, an increase of 8.2%.
In Qatar, Qtel continued to strengthen its position in a “competitive and dynamic” marketplace, ending the period with 2.5mn customers as opposed to 2.4mn in the same period last year.
Revenue earned by Qtel in Qatar increased 9.4% year-on-year and totaled QR4.6bn. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) performance showed an increase of 9.6% year-on-year to QR2.5bn.
Qtel enhanced its portfolio of products and services in the quarter, launching the trial phase of its 4G LTE service, in preparation for the commercial launch at the end of 2012. The company also revamped roaming and mobile money services.
Gulf Times
22 October
