Globe posted record mobile revenue in 2012

It may have received flack in recent months over transmission problems caused by its ongoing network upgrade, but it is difficult to tell when looking at the postpaid segment of Globe Telecom Inc.

In a statement, the Ayala-controlled telecommunications firm said total sales at its mobile business grew by 6 percent at the end of 2012 to P67.2 billion, driven to a large degree by an increase in postpaid line subscribers.

The revenue gains were recorded, Globe said, “despite a highly saturated and competitive market.”

Postpaid revenues at the end of 2012 hit P22.8 billion, presenting a 24-percent spike from P18.5 billion in the previous year. On a quarter on quarter basis, Globe’s postpaid business recorded P6.2 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2012 for an increase of 7 percent from third-quarter level.

Fourth quarter 2012 mobile revenues also recorded a quarterly-high of P17.3 billion, a 5-percent growth year-on-year driven by the strong performance of the company’s postpaid segment.

The postpaid segment reported a substantial growth in subscriber base, closing the year with 1.7 million clients, a new all-time high. This represents a 19-percent growth from the 1.5 million postpaid subscribers as of the end of 2011.

“When it comes to postpaid, subscribers choose Globe and stay with Globe,” said the head of Globe postpaid business, Martha Sazon. “The deep affinity with the brand has grown tremendously over the years with our customer-focused strategies. Customers are choosing us, staying with us, and as a result, we are winning the postpaid market.”

She pointed out that the spike in the number of postpaid subscribers was due in part to the launch of the iPhone 5 in December 2012, which pushed up sales to what she described as “phenomenal” levels.

Full year net acquisitions reflected the improving quality of acquired postpaid subscribers with 42 percent of regular postpaid net additions signing up for plans with monthly service fees of P999 and above, compared to 19 percent in 2011, the company said.

Globe said it intends to sustain this momentum in 2013 with the launch of the discounted extension data plan for subscribers with heavy mobile browsing requirements, and an improved and more customer-centric My Super Plan postpaid subscription scheme.