UAE telecoms operator Du has posted its results for the three months ended 30 September 2009, recording a 26% increase in revenue year-on-year to AED1.33 billion (USD362 million). Meanwhile, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the third quarter of 2009 almost tripled compared to the same period a year earlier to reach AED297.3 million, against AED101.5 million in Q3 2008. The company’s net profit before royalty for the quarter totalled AED157 million, a rise of 398% year-on-year and up 36% compared with the second quarter of 2009. Excluding royalty, net profit rose 150% to AED78.55 million from the year-earlier period. Du’s ongoing capital expenditure programme is expected to exceed AED2 billion in 2009, with AED424 million accounted for during Q3 2009. The company expects to invest a similar amount during 2010.
Du added a total of 233,200 net active wireless customers during the quarter to bring the total to 3.14 million at 30 September 2009, representing a 51% increase from the 2.1 million posted a year earlier. Mobile revenues for the quarter reached record highs of AED940.6 million, an increase of 29% year-on-year. Revenue generated by Du’s fixed business, including fixed telephony, television and broadband internet services, totalled AED241.6 million from 358,000 lines, compared to AED211.8 million during the same quarter in 2008.