KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd has reported higher revenue of RM2.26bil in the third quarter ended Sept 30, as its service revenue rose by 2.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM2.025bil.

       In a statement yesterday, it said normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased by by 1.7% to RM984mil on-year.

       “Operating free cash flow was up by 37% on-year to RM1.067bil,” it said as it declared a four sen net per share dividend for the quarter.Elaborating on the results, it said the higher service revenue was driven by the strength in core mobile business, delivering growth across postpaid and fibre businesses and registering a resilient prepaid performance.

       As for normalised Ebitda, which grew by 1.7% y-o-y, it was underpinned by strong convergence strategy and continued focus on cost savings.

       However, its profit after tax came in lower at RM325mil, attributable to additional investments in network and core capabilities which resulted in higher depreciation and amortisation costs. This compared with RM364mil a year ago.

       Maxis said its postpaid revenue recorded growth of 7.2% y-o-y to RM1.03bil due to increase in both Maxis and Hotlink postpaid subscriber base on the back of higher demand for Maxis’ network and services. Average revenue per user (arpu) was healthy at RM81 per month.

       Despite an ongoing prepaid to postpaid subscriber migration, the segment saw resilient adoption of the attractive Hotlink prepaid Unlimited package, maintaining a stable average revenue per user arpu at RM39 per month. Revenue for the quarter eased 4.5% to RM685mil. Total fibre and wireless broadband subscriber base rose 32.8% y-o-y as demands for work, study and entertainment activities at home continued to increase.

       Maxis said total broadband subscribers was at 709,000 at the end of the quarter, with wireless broadband subscribers up by 79.1% y-o-y to 197,000.

       Double-digit growth was recorded in the fibre segment, with a 21.7% y-o-y increase in revenue and 25k new connections for the quarter, on the back of higher adoption in Maxis unlimited postpaid and fibre converged packages and higher speed plans.

       Maxis recorded solid operating free cash flow at RM1.067bil, up by 37.0% y-o-y, mainly attributed to lower USP payments made in Q3’21 as compared to Q3’20, as well as the productivity and working capital programmes improving efficiency.

       Maxis CEO Gokhan Ogut said the group was pleased to deliver another set of strong results and it would continue its steady growth trajectory.

       “Importantly, we will continue supporting all communities in Malaysia with greater access to devices, digital adoption for students and entrepreneurs as well as ongoing frontliner support and humanitarian efforts.”