dtac's service revenues grow from previous quarter

Total revenues for Q3 2009 were Bt16.2 billion, up 1% from the previous quarter. EBITDA was Bt5 billion, up 6% from the previous quarter as a result of higher revenues, improved interconnection balance, and continued improvement in operating expenses. Furthermore, net profit jumped 19% to Bt1.63 billion. This quarter dtac added approximately 70,000 new customers, bringing its total customer base to 19.3 million.

Compared with Q3 2008, service revenues (excluding interconnection) posted a small growth after suffering a yearly decline in the past few quarters from the economic downturn.

CEO Tore Johnsen said, "We are pleased to report a positive development in both top and bottom lines during this challenging environment. As the overall economy slowly recovers, we'll try to maintain our revenue growth momentum while keeping operating expenses under control. The Bt2 billioncost reduction target by 2010 is well on track.

Furthermore, we have generated a healthy operating free cash flow of 10.7 billion Baht during the first 9 months and are likely to exceed our previously provided target of 12 billion Baht. Therefore, we have raised our free cash flow target to approximately 13 billion Baht for 2009."