Bharti Infratel has reported a 6 per cent decline in its net profits (profit after tax) from Rs 6.20 billion during the quarter ended December 2016 to Rs 5.85 billion during the corresponding quarter in December 2017. The reduction in net profit is on account of higher costs as well as due to reduction in co-location of telecom sites as operators undergo consolidation.

Meanwhile, the company’s total consolidated revenues grew by 7 per cent from Rs 34.01 billion during quarter ended December 2016 to Rs 36.55 billion during the corresponding quarter in December 2017. The consolidated EBITDA grew by 8 per cent during the same period and stood at Rs 16.13 billion during quarter ended December 2017. Operating cash flows stood at Rs 9.70 billion, registering a year-on-year growth of 21 per cent.

The company had a total tower base of 91,007 as of December 31, 2017, with a closing sharing factor of 2.35. The number of co-locations stood at 213,476. (Total number of towers and the co-locations thereof includes those owned and operated by Bharti Infratel as well as 42 per cent of the number of towers and the co-locations thereof owned and operated by Indus Towers).

Commenting on the results, Akhil Gupta, Chairman, Bharti Infratel Limited, said: “We are all aware that the Indian telecom industry is transforming with unprecedented consolidation. Inevitably and as anticipated, we saw exits of co-locations from such consolidating operators this quarter. While there would be more exits on this account in coming few quarters, we expect the overall long-term impact to be positive due to expected accelerated step-up of nationwide 4G rollouts by remaining operators. With our reach, financial strength and operational expertise, we are in the best position to capture what we believe is a big potential for our industry based on exciting data-based demand”.