Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company’s (du) revenues increased by 4.1% to AED3.58 billion ($$974 million) in Q1 2024, reflecting its continuous commercial momentum and market competitiveness. 

 

EBITDA soared by 16.2% to AED1.59 billion reflecting top line growth, margin expansion as well as continued focus on enhancing operational efficiency. EBITDA margin expanded by 4.6 points to reach an impressive 44.3%, it said.

 

Net profit reached AED603 million, a substantial 62.7% increase year on year primarily reflecting the strong EBITDA growth. Capex was at AED359 million, while Operating Free Cash Flow (EBITDA – Capex) for the year was up 28.2% to AED 1.2 billion.

 

Launch of “du Pay”

On April 1, the company launched its digital financial services under the brand “du Pay” to provide transformative fintech solutions for UAE residents. This is a significant milestone that supports the UAE's commitment to fostering innovation, competition, and financial inclusion. Leveraging du’s robust brand identity and extensive customer reach, “du Pay” is poised to accelerate the transition towards a cashless economy and digitalization by providing unparalleled financial services, it said.

 

Operating highlights

• Mobile customer base grew 5.7% year-over-year to 8.7 million subscribers. The strong net-additions of 108,000 subscribers over the quarter highlights the continued success of our commercial campaigns. The postpaid customer base grew by a remarkable 10.1% to 1.7 million subscribers (Q1 2024 net additions: 47,000) highlighting our attractive offering for enterprises and the success of our consumer offers such as unlimited data Power Plan. The prepaid customer base grew by 4.7% to 7.0 million customers (Q1 2024 net additions: 61,000) driven by our attractive data and voice offers such as Alo, Easy and Flexi plans. 

• Fixed customer base rose by a strong 11.1% year-over-year to 616,000 subscribers, with net-additions of 12,000 subscribers over the quarter. This significant growth underscores the success of our strategic positioning and is driven by the continuous success of our Home wireless plans and the sustained growth of our broadband customer base.

 

Financial highlights

• Revenues grew by 4.1% year-over-year to AED3,581 million on the back of strong mobile revenues growth. 

* Mobile service revenues grew 7.4% year-over-year to AED1,602 million primarily driven by higher postpaid revenues thanks to the sustained demand from the enterprise sector and the success of our offers. Prepaid revenues continue to grow driven by the higher subscriber base.

* Fixed services revenues reached AED961 million, a 2.7% year-over-year growth mainly driven by our Home Wireless and enterprise broadband plans which remain extremely attractive. 

* “Other revenues” were broadly stable at AED1,018 million as higher interconnect and inbound roaming revenues offset the reduction in hubbing revenues. 

• EBITDA grew 16.2% to AED1,587 million driven by higher revenues and favourable mix resulting in an improvement of our gross margin aided by our focus on operational efficiency and excellent management of our cost base.  EBITDA margin expanded by a remarkable 4.6 percentage points to 44.3%. 

• Net Profit surged by 62.7% to AED 603 million, mainly reflecting higher EBITDA.

• Capex amounted to AED359 million (Q1 2023: AED408 million). Capital intensity is moderating at 10.0% (Q1 2023: 11.8%) and reflecting the usual capex phasing pattern.  These investments are directed towards continuous 5G coverage and fibre deployment as well as the ongoing transformation of our IT and network infrastructure.

• Operating free cash flow (EBITDA – Capex) increased by 28.2% to AED 1,229 million, reflecting EBITDA growth and capex reduction. Our capacity to consistently generate cash from our operations is reinforcing our balance sheet and enables us to invest in our future growth as well as create value to our shareholders. – TradeArabia News Service