Telenor's revenues in the third quarter of 2003 increased by 10 per cent to close to NOK 13.5 billion compared to the corresponding period last year. Operating profit increased from NOK 488 million to NOK 2,300 million. Profit before taxes increased by NOK 2.1 billion to NOK 2.0 billion.
Compared to the third quarter of 2002, the EBITDA margin increased from 31 per cent to 36 per cent in the third quarter of 2003 while EBITDA (operating profit before depreciation, amortization and write-downs) increased from NOK 3,767 billion to near NOK 4,892 billion. The increase is primarily due to improved underlying development in the form of cost reductions and increased revenues. The consolidation of the Ukraine mobile company Kyivstar also contributed positively.
Capital expenditure decreased to NOK 1,460 million in the third quarter compared to NOK 2,169 million in the same period last year. Net interest-bearing liabilities at the end of the third quarter this year was NOK 21.6 billion, which is NOK 3.7 billion lower than at the end of the second quarter this year.
In Mobile, EBITDA increased by 23 per cent and operating profit by 33 per cent to NOK 2,601 million and NOK 1,507 respectively in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same period last year. This growth came from international mobile operations. In Norway, the estimated market share measured in terms of number of mobile subscriptions was 57 per cent by the end of the third quarter this year.
In Fixed the EBITDA margin increased by four percentage points to 34 per cent while it increased by 4.5 percentage points to 37 per cent in Norway compared to the third quarter last year. The estimated market share for fixed network operations in Norway measured in traffic minutes was just above 69 per cent.
Broadcast reported a positive operating profit, compared to an operating loss in the third quarter of 2002.
"The results after the third quarter are pleasing and we are now beginning to see clear evidence of the effects of our programme for operational efficiency, Delta 4, which progresses better than originally expected. We are also pleased to note a good underlying development in both Fixed and Mobile. Telenor has a balance, which puts us in a solid position for further development. On basis of improved revenues and lower capex, the Board of Telenor ASA will consider to propose for the General Meeting to increase the share of net income to be paid as dividend and consider to repurchase shares," says Telenor CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas.
Contact:
Chief Press Spokesman Dag Melgaard, tel.: +47 67 89 26 71 or +47 901 92 000
To the editorial staff:
Joint press and analyst's presentation
Telenor will present their financial results for the second quarter in a joint press and analyst's presentation, which will be held in the auditorium at the Telenor Expo Visitor Centre at Fornebu on Thursday 30 October at 9:00 am local Norwegian time. Jon Fredrik Baksaas (CEO), Arve Johansen (Senior Executive Vice President) and Torstein Moland (Senior Executive Vice President/CFO) will present the results.
Via Internet
The press and analyst's presentation will be streamed live via the Internet, and as a recording after the presentation at
International conference call
On the same day at 3:00 pm local Norwegian time, an international telephone conference pertaining to the second quarter results will take place, intended for investors and analysts. For more information about the conference call, please go to www.telenor.com/ir
Material
The second quarter report and the materials used during the press and analyst presentation will be available at www.telenor.com/ir