StarHub’s revenue jumps 10% to S$613m in 4Q11

Nearly half a million Singapore households were taking up two or more StarHub services last year.

According to a financial statement, StarHub’s operating revenue for the quarter rose 10% to S$612.6 million compared to S$559 million year-on-year. The Group’s EBITDA saw an increase of 9% to S$185.3 million. On a full year basis, operating revenue increased 3% to S$2,312.0 million while EBITDA was 12% higher at S$676.0 million from S$601.8 million previously.

EBITDA margin as a percentage of service revenue was 33.1% for the quarter and 31.1% for the year.

In 4Q2011, net profit after tax was at S$92.6 million. Compared to a year ago, net profit after tax increased 15%. On a full year basis, net profit after tax increased 20%.

Cash capital expenditure was at S$116.8 million for the quarter or 9% higher compared to a year ago. The higher capex spent was for the expansion and enhancement of our existing network infrastructure, and set-tops for the Pay TV business. On a full year basis, it was 9% lower.

Business Highlights
Total service revenue for both the quarter and the full year periods recorded 4% and 1% growth respectively. Both Mobile and Broadband services contributed to the bulk of the service revenue increase. YoY, Mobile revenue grew 3% for the quarter as well as on a full year basis. Post-paid mobile services revenue was 6% higher at S$251.8million for the quarter and S$968.2 million for the full year.

Pre-paid mobile services revenue decreased 8% YoY to S$60.4 million for the quarter. It was 6% lower for the full year. Comparing a year ago, post-paid ARPU increased S$3 to S$76 for the quarter and S$2 to S$74 for the full year. Looking at pre-paid ARPU, it decreased S$2 YoY for the quarter and full year periods.

Pay TV revenue increased 8% YoY to S$98.7 million for the quarter but on a full year basis, was lower by 5%. This was attributed to the lower subscription revenue from the Sports group following the reduction in monthly subscription price from S$25 to S$12 in June 2010 and the non-recurrence of the 2010 World Cup event this year. YoY, Pay TV ARPU increased S$3 to S$51 for the quarter but for the full year, it decreased S$2.

The customer base grew by 7,000, ending the year at 545,000 households. Broadband revenue improved by 3% to S$60.6 million for the quarter compared to a year ago. For the full year, revenue was S$5.7 million higher. The residential broadband customer base grew 4% YoY, ending the quarter with 440,000 customers.

For the quarter, ARPU was flat at S$45 YoY. On a full year basis, ARPU was down S$2. The lower ARPU for the full year period was attributed to higher promotional and discounts offers as we drive take up for our Hubbing services.

Fixed Network revenue increased 3% to S$88.0 million YoY for the quarter. For the full year, it increased 2%. Data & Internet services revenue, which makes up 84% of the Fixed Network revenue, increased 4% YoY for the quarter. On a full year basis, it was 1% higher. Voice services revenue increased 1% to S$14.5 million YoY for the quarter. It was 4% higher for the full year. The higher revenue was attributable to higher subscription of local voice services and increased interconnect revenue, offset by lower IDD revenue.

Hubbing households with three services increased by 5,000 to 205,000 from the previous year. There were 449,000 Singapore households taking up two or more StarHub services as at end 2011.