Bharti Airtel Q4 net profit up 89 per cent at Rs 962 crore

Bharti Airtel, India's biggest mobile-phone company, has reported a 89 per cent jump in its fourth-quarter consolidated net profit on rise in call charges and higher revenue from data business.

The telecom major posted a net profit of Rs 962 crore in January-March against Rs 509 crore in the same period last year.

Total revenue for the fourth quarter was up 13.5 per cent to Rs 22,219 crore compared to Rs 19,582 crore a year ago.

"Consolidated mobile data revenues at Rs 1,900 crore grew by 93.4 per cent year-on-year, accounting for more than one-third of the growth," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

For the complete 2013-14 financial year, the net profit rose 21.8 per cent to Rs 2,773 crore as against Rs 2,276 crore in previous year. Revenue was up 11.5 per cent to Rs 85,746 crore.

Annual consolidated revenues were mainly driven by mobile data (96.3 per cent), DTH (27.5 per cent), Airtel Business (19.1 per cent) and South Asia (41.2 per cent).

"The year has ended on a satisfying note, both in operational and financial terms. Network and spectrum investments, a refreshed IT strategy, innovative service platforms and an energised organisation will enable sustained growth in India and South Asia," Bharti Airtel MD and CEO (India & South Asia) Gopal Vittal said.

Mobile voice realisation in India improved to 37.07 paisa per minute (up 2.08 paisa Y-o-Y).

"Mobile data revenue at Rs 1,325 crore registered a growth of 89.2 per cent Y-o-Y while telemedia, DTH and Airtel Business registered double digit revenue growth," the company said.

The net debt at the end of March 31, 2014 stood at Rs 60,541.6 crore.

Shares of Bharti Airtel closed 0.81 per cent lower at Rs 335.15 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.