Bharti Airtel has reported a net loss of Rs 230.45 billion during the quarter ended (QE) September 2019. The operator had posted a profit of Rs 1.19 billion during the same period last year.
Airtel’s total revenue increased by 4.9 per cent from Rs 201.48 billion during the QE September 2018 to Rs 211.31 billion during the QE September 2019. The operator’s consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 40.9 per cent from 63.43 billion to Rs 89.36 billion during the same period. Further, the net loss before exceptional items for the quarter stood at Rs 11.23 billion.
According to the company, the Supreme Court’s judgement on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) has had significant financial implications on the company. The company is hopeful of relief and in the absence of the same, has provided for an additional amount aggregating Rs 284.5 billion as a charge for the quarter (comprising principal of Rs 61.64 billion, interest of Rs 122.19 billion, penalty of Rs 37.6 billion, and interest on penalty of Rs 63.07 billion) with respect to the licence fee as estimated based on the Supreme Court’s judgement and spectrum usage charges (SUC) as estimated based on the definition of AGR.
Meanwhile, the operator’s average revenue per user (ARPU) increased from Rs 100 during the QE September 2018 to Rs 128 during the QE September 2019.
