Rogers posts 2009 results; wireless data revenues up 45%

Canadian mobile, broadband, fixed line and cable TV operator Rogers Communications posted a 48% year-on-year rise in net profit in 2009, reaching CAD1.478 billion (USD1.415 billion), as fourth-quarter net income swung to CAD310 million from 2008’s loss of CAD138 million in the corresponding three months. Twelve-month consolidated revenue climbed 3% to CAD11.731 billion whilst operating profit rose 6% to CAD4.316 billion. The company’s Wireless and Cable (including cable, wireline and broadband, excluding broadcasting) divisions both saw revenue growth of 7% in the year, whilst a highlight was the 45% increase in wireless data revenues. Subscribers with smartphones represented 31% of Rogers’ overall post-paid cellular subscriber base at end-December 2009, up from 19% at end-2008, generating ARPU nearly twice that of voice-only subscribers.