Telecom service provider Bharti Airtel today said its Capex for Q2 in fiscal 2015 increased 81 percent to $616 million.
Bharti Airtel Q2 revenue rose 11 percent to $3.78 billion.
Airtel Capex
Capex of Bharti Airtel in mobile business was Rs 14,890 million. Airtel focused on expanding 2G and 3G mobile data business during the second quarter of fiscal 2015.
Airtel India has increased the number of telecom sites to 141,290 sites from 135,412 sites. Out of this, 26.9 percent are 3G sites. Airtel’s 3G sites grew to 38,055 from 34,564 in Q1 fiscal 2015 and 26,616 sites in Q2 fiscal 2014.
In a report, Airtel India claims that it has the largest 3G network in India with 38,055 3G sites.
In digital business, primarily its DTH area, Airtel invested Rs 2,255 million.
Bharti Airtel said it has invested Rs 328 million for expanding its B2B business for enterprises as against Rs 142 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
In South East Asia, where Airtel has operations in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Airtel Capex dipped to Rs 661 million from Rs 1,323 million.
Airtel Africa invested $265 million towards Capex. Investments were mostly directed towards enhancing capabilities.
Airtel Africa marginally increased the number of telecom sites to 17,935 from 17,444. 3G sites at 8,104 represented 45.2 percent of the total sites in Q2 fiscal 2015 against 35.8 percent (6,237 sites) in Q2 fiscal 2014.
How Airtel grew revenue
Airtel customer base rose 8.4 percent to 303.7 million across 20 countries.
Airtel India
India revenues grew 12.3 percent, fuelled by 11.3 percent in mobile, 14.4 percent in Telemedia and 23.5 percent in Digital TV.
Mobile voice realization in India has improved by 0.90p to 37.69p per minute.
Mobile Data revenue increased 73.8 percent to Rs 1,805 crore.
Airtel data customer base rose 43 percent. Mobile data revenues contribute to 14.5 percent of mobile India revenues against 9.4 percent one-year earlier period.
Airtel Africa
Airtel Africa revenues grew 1.9 percent to $1,140 million in USD terms. Data revenues rose 56.8 percent to $115 million. Airtel Africa’s data customer base increased 50.4 percent. Data revenues contribute to 10.1 percent of Africa revenues against 6.6 percent in Q2 fiscal 2014.
Airtel 4G
Bharti Airtel does not share specific 4G LTE subscriber base. The company said its 4G roll-out in 15 cities is now witnessing stronger customer acceptance.
Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO, Airtel India & South Asia, said: “Airtel’s revenue growth in India has further accelerated to 12.3 percent in Q2. We continue to see strong momentum in mobile data which has grown by 74 percent in this quarter.”
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
