Telecom Lead Asia: Malaysia’s mobile phone operator Maxis has
reported 4.5 percent increase in revenue in first quarter of 2012 to RM 2.229 billion
from RM 2.133 billion in Q1 2011.
Maxis’ profit increased 6.1 percent to RM 573 million in the
first quarter of 2012 from RM 540 million in the same period last year.
Capex declined to RM 78 million from RM 257 million. Maxis
said its 3G and FTTH investments are largely complete.
Though Capex has been deferred to later half of 2012, overall
Capex still within guidance.
It is ensuring network readiness for LTE migration.
Non-voice now contributes 45.5 percent of mobile revenue. Internet
and data services (non-SMS) now contribute 62 percent of non-voice revenue.
The company said the better performance was partly due to
the lower write-offs in property, plant and equipment. Going forward, Maxis
said the telecoms industry is expected to remain competitive and challenging.
Maxis had 13.8 million total subscriptions.
The mobile operator said Maxis was aggressive all-in-one
prepaid plan. It experienced strong migrant thrust including IDD. It integrated
postpaid plan with surf-text-talk.
During the first quarter, take-up of smartphones was strong.
Revenue growth was underpinned by continuing non-voice
performance.
Maxis had launched strong prepaid initiatives.
Postpaid growth was driven by mobile internet.
Prepaid revenue growth was driven by voice and SMS.
Adoption of data sachets increasing amongst prepaid base.
IN Wireless broadband, competition continues to be intense
at the lower end tariff segment.
ARPU remained stable with YoY revenue growth of 10 percent.
At present, Maxis has 5,200 3G sites (3,400 at 42 Mbps).
UMobile active RAN sharing is on track ramping up to
1,300 sites by September.
5.2k homes were connected as at 1Q12.
Fixed WBB has 14.1k subs as at end 1Q12.
Maxi is planning to launch multiscreen content.
