Maxis posts higher H1 revenue (6012)

Maxis Bhd chalked up a 3.6 per cent increase in revenue to RM4.4
billion in the first half ended June 30, 2012, from RM4.29 billion
previously, with non-voice revenue being the prime growth
driver.

Earnings
before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose two
per cent to RM2.23 billion from RM2.19 billion, Chief Executive Officer
Sandip Das said.

Pre-tax profit fell to RM630 million for the
second quarter from RM757 million in the same quarter last year while
revenue rose to RM2.216 billion from last year's RM2.158 billion.

He
said the quarter's higher revenue was underpinned by strong data and
international direct dial (IDD) growth as well as the momentum building
up from its aggressive market moves in the last two quarters.

"We
registered the highest prepaid net additions in five quarters on the
strength of the new Hotlink plan launched in March, offering a wide
range of globally contemporary data products and made definitive
inroads into the migrant market with attractive international calling
tariffs," he told reporters after announcing the company's financial
results today.

As for dividends, Sandip said the group has
declared a second interim dividend of eight sen per share, ammounting
to RM600 million.

The group today also signed a 10-year
partnership with the country's leading consumer media entertainment
group, Astro, to provide Maxis customers with television and video
content.

"The detailed announcement will be made next week," Sandip said.

Turning
to Maxis' outlook, he expects the group's efforts during the first half
of 2012 to bear fruit in the second half of this year.

"We will
continue to offer innovative products, bring demand for data and mobile
internet, make smartphones adoption affordable and provide exciting
contents," Sandip added. -- Bernama