Malaysia’s Maxis Communications reported a pre-tax profit of MYR720 million (USD228.9 million) in the three months ended 30 June 2010 compared to a pre-tax loss of MYR17 million in the same period a year earlier. Net profit however fell to MYR532 million, down from MYR594 million a year earlier, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBTIDA) falling to MYR1.03 billion, down 4.2% year-on-year. More positively, the company’s turnover rose by 4% against 2Q 2009 to reach MYR2.19 billion, up from MYR2.12 billion in 2Q 2009.
In operational terms Maxis reported that total customer numbers at its mobile subsidiary Maxis Mobile stood at 12.971 million at end-June 2010, up 14% against end-June 2009, of which the bulk were pre-paid connections (9.836 million). Wireless broadband subscriptions, which the operator defines as customers subscribing to post-paid data plans using a USB modem, stood at 448,000 at the end of the second quarter, surging 162% against the 171,000 customers signed up to such services a year earlier.