Bangkok--31 Jul--AIS
AIS recorded its 2Q17 financial results with Bt7,215mn net profit and 6.6% growth in service revenue. 4G users continued to expand and reached 39% of total 40.5mn mobile subscribers while AIS fibre recorded 445,900 subscriptions. For 1H17, service revenue improved 5.3%, aligning with the full year guidance. Following its dividend policy to payout minimum of 70% of net profit, AIS has announced an interim dividend of Bt3.51 per share, which will be paid on 25th August 2017.
Mr. Somchai Lertsutiwong, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Info Service PLC or AIS explained "In 2Q17, AIS recorded 6.6% growth in revenue, underpinned by both mobile data and fixed-line segments. AIS continued to build on mobile data leadership by strengthen our network quality to deliver exceptional customer experience.
We believe in creating ecosystem in the telecommunication industry and growing with our partners. In addition to the wide range of local and international contents, we continue to add on more variety and differentiation with ViU, Korean series and variety show platform and Netflix, leading entertainment providers from the USA. The growing popularity of video streaming has driven average data usage to 4.7GB per month. For fixed broadband service, we reiterate an aim to be one of the major players in the market within the next three years. In 2Q17, AIS fibre subscribers expanded to 72,000, on track with our target supported by demand for fiber connection and improved brand awareness.
For 2H17, we will leverage our strength in the key businesses including mobile, fixed broadband and digital contents to promote fixed-mobile convergence services, supporting customer's lifestyle and stickiness. Also, we plan to expand our footprints to capture the new demand with fiber technology along with variety of home entertainment.
With our expertise in telecommunication service and advancement in technology, AIS will continue to add on services to support digital for Thais, the foundation of Thailand 4.0, focusing on the four key areas: Digital Agriculture for Farmers and OTOP Markets, Digital Public Health, Digital Education, Community for local entrepreneurs and StartUp. Recently, for the public health, we have launched "Aor Sor Mor Online" application to provide an online social networking platform for Village Health Volunteers to share their voices, opinions, information and media to promote sustainable wellbeing of Thais. The application won the global WSIS Prizes 2017 as we aligned with the UN sustainable development goals (SGDs). In addition, for the StartUp, we have opened the AIS D.C. Designed for Creation – the venue, meeting place, and test lab for start-ups and new creators to explore, discuss and share their innovated ideas among community and potentially to partner with AIS. As the leading digital life service provider, AIS is committed to deliver the digital services that support the quality of Thais' lives and enhancing economic growth– said Mr. Somchai.