Swisscom First Half Profits Up 20.7%

Switzerland's Swisscom says that it closed the first half of 2009 with a 1.2% fall in net revenue to CHF 5.9 billion (US$5.45 billion) and operating income (EBITDA) down 3.8% to CHF 2.24 billion. On constant currency basis, net revenue rose by 0.3% while EBITDA declined by 2.7%.

Net consolidated income increased by 20.7% to CHF 1 billion (US$923 million), due to a combination of lower net financial expenses, a reduction in depreciation and exceptional items relating to the termination of long-term lease agreements in the previous year.

The number of mobile subscribers in Switzerland increased year-on-year by a net of 297,000 (+5.7%) to 5.48 million. The successful market launch of the new iPhone 3GS on 19 June 2009 generated sales of 23,000 new-generation handsets by the end of June. Since the rollout of the iPhone on 11 July 2008, Swisscom has sold a total of 267,000 units.

Revenue from new mobile data services (excluding SMS) with Swisscom customers increased year-on-year by 20% to CHF 192 million. Average revenue per mobile user per month (ARPU) declined by 5.8% to CHF 49 as a result of lower prices and the introduction of new tariff models. Average minutes per mobile user per month (AMPU) remained practically unchanged at 112 minutes.

Despite the difficult economic climate, the current financial outlook for 2009 remains unchanged.

Posted to the site on 12th August 2009