Bangkok--3 Aug--AIS
AIS recorded the first half 2018 financial result with Bt16,042mn. and 6.7% growth in total revenue, supported by both mobile and fixed broadband businesses. AIS has maintained the dividend policy at minimum 70% of net profit and will pay the dividend of Bt3.78 per share on 29th August 2018.
Mr. Somchai Lertsutiwong, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Info Service PLC or AIS explained "Overall, in 1H18, total revenue improved 6.7% YoY while core service revenue grew 4.9% YoY. Mobile data usage rose from 4.7GB/month in 1Q18 to 8.9GB/month in 2Q18 while 4G handset penetration reached 54% to total subscribers of 40.1mn. AIS Fibre, fixed broadband service, recorded 623,400 subscribers and 64% YoY increase in revenue. AIS continued to promote convergence packages which combine fixed broadband, mobile, and digital contents. Moreover, AIS continued to add premium contents, live concerts, and free TV of more than 100 channels, available 24/7 on AIS PLAY and on AIS PLAYBOX. Following cost efficiency and improved revenue, net profit was Bt16,042mn. and increased 7.6% YoY in 1H18. For 2Q18, net profit was Bt8,005mn.
Following competitive market environment, AIS has revisited the full year 2018 guidance and expected the core service revenue to grow in a range of 5-7% YoY with 45-47% EBTDA margin. AIS maintained the investment plan and expected to spend approximately Bt25bn capital expenditure.
With an aim to provide essential infrastructures and versatile end-to-end solutions to serve the growth of enterprise market. AIS continued to build services and digital platforms e.g. NB-IoT network, which covers 77 cities, and eMTC. Also, AIS continued to integrate CS Loxinfo business which will allow AIS to expand salesforce and technical expertise.
"In addition, AIS joined hands with partners from both public and private sectors to build versatile IoT solutions to benefit a wide range of industries. For example, AIS partnered with Thammasat University, Property Perfect, Samsung, and Mobike to bring in commercial IoT based solutions for Smart City and Smart Campus to effectively manage community areas, including 1) Smart Tracking and Face Recognition to ensure high security, 2) Smart Bike to provide easy transportation, 3) Smart Lightning to promote energy saving. Together with our alliances, AIS is determined to leverage our infrastructure and expertise to improve the quality of life for Thais and strengthen business capabilities to enhance the sustainable growth of Thai economy, aligning with the Thailand 4.0" said Mr. Somchai.