Celcom Axiata Bhd recorded a commendable recovery momentum in 2Q 2021, with growing revenue (excluding device) by 3.4% QoQ (+4.6% YTD), YoY net additions of 1.2 million subscribers and a double-digit prepaid revenue growth.
Celcom recorded an underlying EBITDA growth 12.4% YTD & PATAMI 28.8% YTD, excluding one-off Employee Restructuring Programme and accelerated depreciation of 3G assets.
Its prepaid subscriber base saw a +20.0% YoY subscriber growth primarily from affordable prepaid plans with a resilient ARPU of RM30. The Postpaid segment recorded subscriber growth for four consecutive quarters with a +6.1% YoY customer base increase and a sustained ARPU of RM83, supported by Industry-wide initiatives such as Jaringan Prihatin.
Commenting on Celcom’s first half performance for 2021, Idham Nawawi, CEO of Celcom Axiata Berhad says in a life press conference that “Celcom’s transformation delivered promising operational results despite the challenges in a difficult-macro environment.
He says its growth trajectory in H1 2021 has been the result of focus on operational cost management and accelerated network investments, coupled with a strong performance in our trade and distribution throughout Q1 and Q2.”
“The rapid growth of data traffic from our users indicates that our network is widely utilised as a primary internet access, especially in areas without fixed broadband alternatives, during this pandemic.
Our accelerated network investments and optimisation efforts to improve customer experience in the New Norm are on track, with the cessation of 3G services by year-end”.
“We will continue to work to raise the quality of our 4G network coverage and experience, as well as ensure our customers have a seamless transition from 3G to 4G. Our network teams remain dedicated to provide immediate service resolutions and improvements in high-risk areas, as well in rural areas,” Idham said.
The press conference in conjunction with Celcom’s transformation and Operational Excellence focus with a stringent cost management resulted in bottom line improvement, delivering visible growth momentum and positive results in the first half of FY21 amid Covid-19 pandemic challenges.
Celcom also continues to remain committed in support of the Covid-19 response by reaching out to Malaysians with special connectivity support and relief provisions.
Celcom’s network recorded more than 40% data traffic growth with 741 Petabytes (PB) compared to 516 PB in 2Q20. Data usage per month per user increased by 22% YoY with 23.9GB per month per user as compared to 19.6GB per month per user a year earlier. Celcom’s widest 4G network coverage reached a population coverage of 93%, while 4G LTE-A stands at 90.
Celcom has been aggressive in addressing the rapid data traffic growth by accelerating its capex for network investments through multiple network enhancement initiatives that are aligned with Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA).
To date, Celcom has completed almost 95% of network upgrading works at approximately 9,500 sites, performed network optimisation at more than 3,600 sites and delivered 4G coverage improvements at 3,200 sites, nationwide.
