Tata Communications Ltd said revenue from operations for the core business improved 12% at Rs.45,186 million (USD 756 million) from Rs.40,188 million (USD 720 million) during the corresponding quarter a year ago.
On a quarter on quarter basis, revenue fell 2%, while operating profit fell 9%.
The dip in sequential revenue was due to a steep 3.5% fall in voice revenue during the first quarter. Data revenue, however, increased 1.1% quarter on quarter. Voice operating margin improved to 7.4% from 6.9%, thus leading to higher operating profit for the quarter compared to the preceding one.
However, data operating margin fell to 18.3% from 18.9%, leading to a fall in operating profit.
On an EBIT level, voice had a profit of 5.3%, while data had a loss of 1%.
“Data services continue to be the primary growth driver because of an uptake in demand from global enterprise customers for network and data centre services. Transformation services for global carriers also witnessed an upswing in demand. The economies of scale from the underlying infrastructure and operating capabilities are translating into improved Core business profitability, with Q1 FY15 EBITDA up 7% YoY and Q1 FY15 Profit Before Tax (PBT) and Exceptional Items up 192% YoY,” the company said.
Consolidated revenue from operations increased by 14% to Rs. 5,111.7 crore in as compared to Rs. 4,498 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Consolidated EBITDA increased by 9% to Rs. 712.7 crore compared to Rs. 651.6 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
The start-up business, comprising primarily of Neotel, posted a 24% increase in revenues at Rs. 5,931 million.
“Our Q1 results have set a good momentum for the year ahead and we are confident that we will be able to sustain this trend in the coming quarters. The business continues to benefit from improved asset utilisation, greater leverage on costs and uptrend in our newer services,” said Sanjay Baweja, Chief Financial Officer, Tata Communications.
