Driven by a well laid out strategy that focuses on broadband and data usage in key markets including Qatar, Ooredoo (previously known as Qtel) posted strong financial growth with the group net profit exceeding QR2.9bn in 2012, up 13% on the previous year.
Ooredoo Group revenue grew 6.2% to QR33.7bn last year on the back of healthy increases in Iraq, Algeria, Qatar and Indonesia and supported by a stable performance at Nawras in Oman.
Ooredoo’s earnings per share (EPS) in 2012 stood at QR9.88 compared with QR9.9 in 2011.
The earnings per share for 2011 was “restated” as a result of the issuance of 30% bonus shares and 40% rights issue in H1, 2012.
The Ooredoo Group results were announced after a meeting of the board of directors presided over by chairman HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani here last night. The board recommended a cash dividend of 50% of the nominal share value, which translates into QR5 per share.
2012 has seen Ooredoo making further strong progress operationally, financially and technologically. Fuelled by a concerted focus on rapidly emerging revenue streams, such as fixed / mobile broadband and higher value data services, the group revenue grew by 6.2% year-on-year to QR33.7bn.
The Group’s consolidated customer base stood at 92.9mn in December 2012 compared with 83.4mn in 2011, representing a year-on-year growth of 11.5%.
Group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the period increased by 5.1% year-on-year to stand at QR15.5bn in December, 2012 compared with QR14.8bn in 2011.
Ooredoo also maintained a solid EBITDA margin during the year, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation margin at the end of 2012 standing at 46% compared with 47% in 2011.
Revenue exceeded QR6bn for the first time in company history, representing a 9% growth on 2011 figures.
EBITDA (Ooredoo Qatar) also increased, advancing 10.2% year-on-year to stand at QR3.2bn in December, 2012 compared with QR2.9bn in 2011.
2012 saw successful trials for the country’s first 4G LTE broadband network and significant nationwide progress of the Qtel Fibre network.
Enabled by Fibre, the company launched “Next Generation Mozaic TV 3.0”, which provides high definition picture quality, video-on-demand, and the ability to pause, rewind and record live TV.
In addition, 2012 saw the go-live of world’s first “Mobile Money MoneyGram” service, so that customers can transfer money to 196 countries around the world via their mobile.
In the enterprise space, Qtel launched its enhanced cloud services, employing much-needed managed software and infrastructure services to businesses of all sizes across Qatar.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani said: “Today’s record results demonstrate that we are ready to take our company to the next level.
“We have delivered record revenue and are seeing on-going growth in some of the most important sectors for the future, such as mobile data and broadband services.
“At the heart of this development, we remain focused on the needs and aspirations of our customers, and believe we are better placed than ever to stimulate human growth across our markets.
“By unifying our companies under our new brand, Ooredoo, we can leverage our combined resources to serve customers and deliver for shareholders.”
Ooredoo group chief executive officer Dr Nasser Marafih said: “As a combined and united team, we are improving the customer experience in all areas. “Key milestones in technological and network enhancements, such as the introduction of 4G services and the transition from 2G to 3G across key markets, have been achieved in 2012.
“We are also working towards greater customer intimacy, getting closer to our customers’ wants and needs than ever before, which in turn will increase our value proposition.
“At Ooredoo, we have a young, exciting brand that reflects the aspirations of our customers – we will continue to deliver on their aspirations now and in the future.”
Customer base reaches 2.5mn
Ooredoo Qatar has seen its customer base swelling to 2.5mn in 2012 compared with 2.4mn in 2011.
This was stated by Ooredoo Group in its 2012 financial results here last night.
“Ooredoo Qatar continues to lead the way in a rapidly-evolving market, having consolidated its position as the top telecommunications provider, and making significant progress up the enterprise value chain into managed ICT services in 2012,” it said.