Softbank posts strong first half results

Softbank Corp has posted revenues of more than JPY1.5 trillion (USD20.2 billion) for the first half of its financial year, up 4.8% year-on-year, while operating income grew by 18.3% to JPY373 million. The results were boosted by strong performance from the company’s mobile unit, which posted sales growth of 8.6% to JPY1 billion, and operating income growth of 20.7% to JPY250 million. The company’s overall monthly mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) for the second quarter inched upwards year-on-year from JPY4,300 to JPY4,310, while data ARPU increased by JPY240 to reach JPY2,520; this was mainly due to the ongoing increase in the number of data-intensive smartphones being used. The gains from mobile services more than offset declines from the company’s broadband and fixed line voice services. At the end of September Softbank claimed 26.898 million mobile subscribers and 4.145 million broadband subscribers.