Optus Handset Sales Grow Its Q3 Operating Revenue

Optus’ postpaid handset customer growth has had positive affects on its Q3 operating revenue which has risen 5 per cent to $2.3bn compared to the previous year.

Handset sales grew to 127,000, however prepaid customers dropped by 29,000.

Its mobile revenue jumped 9 per cent due to record mobile net additions in the quarter, with higher carriage and mobile applications revenue

The company’s EBITDA grew by 14 per cent from $650m to $739m which the company says reflects its increased Mobile Service revenue, NBN migration payments and higher other income from disputes settlement.

Mass Market Fixed operating revenue grew 21 per cent following an increase of 65,000 NBN customers and higher NBN migration payments during the quarter.

Allen Lew, chief executive at Optus says, “This is a pleasing result that demonstrates our continued focus on compelling content such as premium sports, National Geographic and free live streaming of music and video, and consistent network investment is really resonating with Australian consumers. Strong postpaid mobile customer growth for the quarter has also benefited from new premium handset releases and continued network expansion.”

Optus states it now has 416,000 NBN broadband customers.

Optus Business EBITDA grew 5 per cent while revenues declined in the quarter, this largely resulted from the timing of ICT projects.

During the quarter, Optus added 100 new mobile sites and deployed its 7,000th site. Only last week, Optus revealed it would be launching its 5G network from early next year.

Optus’ growing entertainment portfolio was enhanced through a partnership with the Seven Network, which gives eligible free data streaming of the 2018 Australian Open Tennis, the forthcoming 2018 Winter Olympic Games and the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.