Indonesian mobile operator XL Axiata, 66%-owned by the Axiata Group, booked net profits of IDR2.2 trillion (USD229.5 million) for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2012, on revenue that climbed 14% year-on-year to IDR16 trillion. The carrier said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for January-September grew 6% y-o-y to IDR7.4 trillion; EBITDA margin was broadly stable at 47%. The key driver of revenue growth in the period under review was data, which increased by 60% over 9M11, followed by SMS (up 21% y-o-y) and voice services, up 7%. Investment in the first nine months of the year totalled IDR7.2 trillion, which was mainly funded internally.
Commenting on the solid contribution of data-based services, XL Axiata president Hasnul Suhaimi said: ‘Data traction remained strong, as evident in the continuous increase in data revenue, traffic as well as data subscribers which reached 25 million or 60% of our total base. Data revenue contribution has also increased from 14% last year to 19% this year. XL remains focused delivering improved data access and experience.’ The operator’s primary data plans are based on pre-paid offers, volume-based bundles and its ‘Hot Rod 3G+’ tariffs. Going forward XL Axiata says it is looking to increase focus on data by upping download quotas on data packages – if used on the 3G network.