MTN in South Africa increased its subscriber market share from 34.1 per cent a year ago to 37.7 per cent by the end of December 2012 despite ongoing price battles with its rivals.
The firm published its 2012 financial results today, which states the telecommunications company’s subscriber base increased to 25.5 million, translating to a 15.4 per cent increase.
It also recorded a 15 per cent increase in its prepaid segment, which now stands at 20.8 million subscribers.
MTN attributes these positive results to its MTN Zone and MTN Mahala offers together with growth in data services.
Data revenue increased by 37.6 percent, translating to ZAR6.4 billion (US$709.4 million) from 13.4 million data users, which was previously at 10.9 million.
There are 5.5 million smartphones on the MTN network.
MTN recorded an increase of 17.3 per cent, 4.5 million subscribers in its post-paid subscriber base, which was influenced by the success of hybrid and telemetry packages as well as data offerings. Net connections reached 3.4 million in 2012 compared with 2011’s 3.2 million.
Airtime revenue was recorded at an increase of 4.8 per cent to ZAR21.1 billion (US$2.3 billion), which is attributed to an increase of subscribers.
MTN in South Africa reportedly sold 6,7 million prepaid mobile phones and 1.3 million post-paid phones.
MTN invested ZAR6.4 billion (US$709.4 million) into capital expenditure last year. The reason for the expenditure was for the modernisation of the network as well as the expansion of the 3G capacity and coverage.
The total revenue for MTN in South Africa for the year was recorded at ZAR41.4 billion (US$4.5 billion), which was up from the previous ZAR38.6 billion (US$4.2 billion).
On an international scale, the MTN Group increased its subscriber base by 16.2 percent, translating to a 164.5 million increase in subscribers, which assisted in boosting revenue by 9.7 per cent to ZAR121.9 billion (US$13.5 billion).
The grand total of customers for the MTN group is almost at 190 million from the previously recorded 164.5 million.
In MTN’s key market of Nigeria, the profit margin, measured according to earnings before tax, interest, amortisation and depreciation, rose to 44.9 per cent, despite difficult conditions.
The adjusted headline earnings per share leapt by 43.2 per cent to ZAR10.70 (US$1.19). The MTN group has declared a dividend of ZAR4.76 (US$0.53) per share.
