Du reports 57.1 percent increase in profit before royalty 

The UAE's second largest telecommunication provider Dubai-based du reported a 57.1 percent increase in second quarter profit before royalties compared with the same period a year earlier as revenue increased and the company's subscriber base grew.

The company said net income in the second three months of the year increased to AED651 million from AED414 million in the same period a year ago.

"There are clear signs that the company is entering the next phase of its evolution," du Chief Executive Officer Osman Sultan said. "Delivering value for our shareholders remains our priority and we will consistently seek to do this through a continued emphasis on driving efficiencies, and a sustained focus on innovation and the introduction of new customer-centric products and services."

Second quarter results saw an increase in the number of subscribers, with post-paid customers accounting for about 80 percent of the operator's 5.7 million mobile users. The company increased its fixed line subscribers 10.6 percent in the second quarter to 546,600.

Total combined revenues for the second quarter reached AED2.5bn, an increase of 12.9 percent year on year from AED2.2bn and 0.2 percent quarter on quarter from AED2.4 billion.

At the end of July, du’s share of the UAE mobile market stood at 46.5 percent, according to the company, citing Telecommunications Regulatory Authority date.

In a conference call with journalists Sultan said he expects total revenue of the company for the year to remain at these levels.

He said the company has not as of yet taken a decision as to whether it will bid for a license in Saudi Arabia.

"We are still not interested in going out of the UAE in the traditional model," Sultan said. "Once we know what are the conditions it will be possible."