Maxis rings up RM1.5b half-year profit

Maxis Bhd posted a higher pre-tax profit of RM1.498 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared with RM1.485 billion registered in the same period last year.

Revenue declined to RM4.29 billion from RM4.343 billion due to lower hubbing revenue resulting from the scale down of the low-margin hubbing business, coupled with the reduction in mobile and fixed termination rates.

Non-voice revenue jumped an impressive 20 per cent to RM1.742 billion in the first six months this year from RM1.451 billion in the same period last year, said Maxis in a filing to Bursa Malaysia today.

"This was driven mainly by robust internet and data services growth which contributed 58 per cent of non-voice revenue, reflecting the success of our strategy of seeding smart devices in the market," it said.

As at end-June 2011, Maxis had 7.7 million mobile internet users, thus providing the company with a strong base to drive future data usage and beyond telecom services.

The board has declared a second interim single-tier tax exempt dividend of 8.0 sen per ordinary share, amounting to RM600 million, to be paid on 30 September 2011. -- Bernama