Mobile phone operator Grameenphone has posted 13.67% growth in profit after paying tax in the first quarter ended on March 31.
The operator earned a Tk516.01 crore profit compared to Tk453.96 crore in the same period last year,
according to an un-audited quarterly figures.
The market leader disclosed the first quarter profit while presenting a financial statement at a press conference in Dhaka yesterday.
At the end of the January to March period, Grameenphone’s earnings per share (EPS) stands at Tk3.82 against consolidated profit after paying tax (excluding non-controlling interest).
It’s consolidated EPS was Tk3.36 for the same period in the previous year.
“We have managed to bounce back after the depressed October-December period of political turmoil,” said Vivek Sood, Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone.
“We expect to maintain this growth trend and expand our business further,” he said.
The operator said its revenue per user (RPU) increased Tk5 from Tk161 in the previous quarter.
Grameenphone reported revenue of Tk2,490 crore in the first quarter with 6.1% increase from the same period last year.
The operator said the growth was mainly driven by the increased voice outgoing from acquisition, boost in data revenue after 3G, SMS and campaign content services.
Growth in both local and international interconnection minutes and wholesale and financial services also made contribution to the growth.
Grameenphone was able to attract 15 lakh new active subscribers in the first three months of 2014, taking the total number to 4.86 crore.
“Our focus was to ensure quality, not the increase of the number. That’s why the number has not risen like it was in the previous months,” Vivek Sood said.
Grameenphone earned Tk1,472 crore net profit in 2013 and distributed 140% dividend for that year.