StarHub profits up 65% driven by cable, broadband gains

Singaporean telecoms operator StarHub has reported first half profits of SGD137 million (USD87.1 million) in 2006, a 65% rise on the same period a year ago, driven by a strong performance from its cable TV and broadband operations. In the three months to June alone, the operator booked a 44% hike in profits to SGD76 million thanks to 29% growth at its cable TV business as people signed up to watch the World Cup and advertising revenue income soared. The telco’s broadband operations reported a 27% rise due to subscriber gains, while its mobile and fixed line businesses maintained their steady growth. On the back of the encouraging performance StarHub is upgrading its guidance for 2006 and says full-year operating revenue growth has been revised from the high single-digits, to growth in the low teens, year-on-year.