CelcomDigi Bhd chief executive Datuk Idham Nawawi
PETALING JAYA: CelcomDigi Bhd said its network integration and modernisation efforts are now close to 70% complete, with over 10,500 sites modernised as at end-October 2024.
In its third-quarter (3Q) performance report, it said more than 65% of its customers are benefitting from improved quality of experience on the new CelcomDigi intelligent network.
The company aims to complete 75% of network upgrades by the end of 2024, ahead of its target, it added.
In the 3Q ended Sept 30, 2023, CelcomDigi posted a net profit of RM436.98mil, down from RM455.72mil in the year-ago quarter for a lower earnings per share of 3.72 sen compared to 3.88 sen previously.
The telco reported a revenue of RM3.13bil compared to RM3.1bil in the comparative quarter.
The board of directors declared a third interim dividend of 3.6 sen per share, going ex on Dec 5, 2024, and payable on Dec 23, 2024.
During the quarter, CelcomDigi’s postpaid subscribers grew 92,000 quarter- on-quarter (q-o-q) and 377,000 year-on-year (y-o-y) to 5.71 million subscribers.
Postpaid revenue rose 0.7% q-o-q and 3% y-o-y to RM1.05bil, driven by an expanding subscriber base, multiple lines subscriptions and prepaid-to-postpaid migration.
The prepaid segment contracted by 105,000 q-o-q and 775,000 y-o-y to 12.84 million subscribers.
Revenue from the segment likewise fell 1.4% q-o-q and 4.4% y-o-y to RM1.1bil due to a dual SIM consolidation and a strategic decision to reduce reliance on one-time rotational SIM segment
The average revenue per user (arpu) stood at RM28.
Meanwhile, the home and fibre segment saw continued subscriber growth of 19,000 q-o-q and 58,000 y-o-y to 159,000 subscribers. Arpu rose to RM109 on higher take-up of premium speed plans.
There was a decline in enterprise revenue by 2.2% q-o-q and 3.3% y-o-y to RM296mil, mainly owing to the decline in mobile revenue.
Over the nine months period to Sept 30, 2024 (9M24), CelcomDigi recorded a net profit of RM1.22bil compared to RM1.12bil in 9M23, while revenue was little changed at RM9.4bil compared to RM9.41bil in the year-ago period.
Chief executive officer Datuk Idham Nawawi said it is encouraging that there is a clear and growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging tech solutions among enterprises.
“Through our AI Experience Centre, we are actively exploring these opportunities by implementing proof-of-concept and pilots to accelerate adoption.
“As we transform to become an AI-first company, we continue to invest into innovation and ‘beyond connectivity’ solutions as our growth engine.
“Our priority remains in delivering robust and efficient 4G and 5G connectivity services and AI solutions to consumers and enterprises, and advancing the nation’s development into a 5G-AI powered digital society,” he said in a statement.
