Bharti Airtel's profits has declined 22 per cent to Rs 1,011 crore for the third quarter ended December 2011 from Rs 1,303 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. The company said profits were hit by higher tax outgo and impact of 3G licence amortisation.

Consolidated revenues were up 17 per cent to Rs 18,477 crore from 15,772 crore during the period. Revenues from Africa were up 16 per cent from $911 million to $1,057 million.

Average Revenue Per User in India was down 6 per cent to Rs 187 but Average Revenue Per Minute was up one per cent to 44.6 paise.

Airtel had increased tariffs by 20 per cent last year. Monthly churn or the rate at which subscribers leave the network remained at 7.9 per cent. Non-voice revenue accounts for only 14.3 per cent of the mobile revenues despite the launch of 3G services.

Bharti reduced its number of employees by 2,011 over the last year one. Now, it has 15,141 employees and 243 million subscribers. There are 12,287 subscribers per employee which is a 31 per cent improvement from year ago.

In a statement, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Airtel Ltd, said,

“I am pleased that investments in branding and networks continue to be our focus in India, as we

enhance customer experience for voice quality and cater to the ever increasing demand for data. These investments are resulting in healthy growth of mobile revenues.”

Bharti Airtel shares were down 6.5 per cent at Rs 354 on the BSE.

>tkt@thehindu.co.in

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