Robi maintained a strong growth rate with a profit of Tk 47 crore
Robi ended the second quarter of this year with a post-tax profit (PAT) of Tk 47 crore. The operator's PAT reached Tk 81 crore in the first half of the year through stable upward revenue and efficient expenditure management. This information was given by the operator while announcing the results of the second quarter of this year in a digital press conference on Wednesday (July 28, 2021).
Compared to the first quarter of this year, the number of Robi 4G subscribers has increased by 7.5 percent in the second quarter. However, compared to the same quarter of 2020, the number of Robi 4G subscribers has increased by 65 percent. Out of a total of 5 crores 18 lakh subscribers, about 2 crore subscribers have come under 4G services. In addition, 72.4 percent of the customers use the Robi Internet, which is the highest in this sector. The amount of data used by the customer is increasing rapidly every month. The monthly data usage per customer now stands at 3.9 GB. This proves that technology-loving people are relying on Robi's powerful 4.5G network.
Although the number of Robi subscribers has increased by 8.1 percent in this quarter as compared to the same quarter of 2020, the number of Robi subscribers has decreased by 0.2 percent in the second quarter as compared to the first quarter of this year. At the end of the second quarter of this year, Robi's total subscribers accounted for 29.4 percent of the country's mobile phone users.
Despite the lockdown due to the corona pandemic, Robi's revenue in the second quarter of this year reached Tk 2,031 crore. This is 2.5 percent more than the first quarter. And it has increased by 15.2 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Robi's revenue from voice services has increased by 1.4 percent compared to the first quarter of 2021. However, the revenue from voice services has increased by 13.7 percent as compared to the same quarter last year.
On the other hand, revenue from data services is increasing rapidly. This income has increased by 3.6 percent as compared to the last quarter and 21.9 percent as compared to the same quarter last year.
Robi's EBITDA stood at Tk 854 crore at the end of the second quarter of this year, an increase of 5.2 percent over the previous quarter. However, compared to the same quarter of 2020, EBITDA has decreased by 3.2 percent. At the end of the current quarter, the EBITDA margin stood at 42.1%.
The company's earnings per share (EPS) increased by 36 percent over the previous quarter to Tk 0.09 in the second quarter and compared to the same quarter last year, the EPS growth rate was 17.8 percent. EPS is steadily rising as a result of structurally increasing EBITDA.
Robi has invested Tk 584 crore in the second quarter of this year to expand its 4G network. Robi has completed the current quarter with 13 thousand 545 4G sites. It is ensuring coverage of 98% of the population and Robi is the first operator to install 100% 4G technology in its network. Robi has deposited Tk 1,138 crore in the state treasury, which is 56 percent of the total revenue for the quarter.
Regarding the company's financial state, Robi's Managing Director and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said, "We are delighted that our digital goals have already begun to contribute to our financial growth. We are managing our expenses efficiently as well as testing various innovative digital technologies to build a brighter future for the company. ”
Referring to the company's role in the Corona pandemic situation, he said, "We are proud to be part of the National Call Center 333, which has been used as a coveted helpline to serve citizens. Besides, it is becoming possible to deliver digital services to the doorsteps of the citizens through 333. Through Robi-Ten Minute School, we are providing quality educational content to more than 3 million students of all ages every day.”
But Mahtab is worried about the regulatory situation. Noting the lack of effective implementation of SMP control, he said the overall competitive flaws are pushing the market to the brink of failure. In such a fragile state of competition, it has become difficult for relatively small operators to achieve economic viability.
Mahtab further said that the flawed pricing process and distribution system is harming the interests of consumers and at the same time weakening the telecom industry which has become a major obstacle in achieving the goal of Digital Bangladesh. He expressed frustration that in order to manage the market smoothly, it was important to ensure that no single company could influence pricing and production decisions. Sadly, we have a significant monopoly on the market, which is discouraging competitors from investing in innovative digital technologies. But investment in this sector is important for the future of the country.
