Bharti Airtel has reported a 26.53 per cent dip in its net profit from Rs 22.63 billion for the quarter ended September 2009 to Rs 16.61 billion for the quarter ended September 2010. The decline in profits is largely attributed to the stiff competition on the domestic front as well as a considerable hike in tax rates in the African market. Bharti’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin fell to 33.7 per cent for the quarter ended September 2010 from 41.4 per cent in the corresponding period the previous year. Meanwhile, the company’s total revenue has increased by 46.6 per cent from Rs 103.78 billion to Rs 152.15 billion in the same period. The monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) has dropped by 6 per cent from Rs 215 to Rs 202. Bharti has planned a capex of $2 billion for the fiscal year 2011, excluding its tower unit.
