- Bharti Airtel reports a staggering 460.9% YoY surge in net profit, reaching $1.94 billion.
- Growth driven by increased mobile revenues, rising smartphone adoption, and strategic business realignment.
What happened: Bharti Airtel reports record Q3 profits amid industry hurdles
Bharti Airtel has announced a 460.9% year-on-year increase in its consolidated net profit, reaching ₹16,134.6 crore ($1.94 billion) for Q3 FY25, compared to ₹2,876.4 crore ($345 million) in the same period last year. The company attributed this growth to higher mobile services revenue, which surged 21.4% year-on-year, driven by tariff adjustments, increasing smartphone penetration, and an improved customer mix.
Additionally, Airtel Business saw an 8.7% YoY increase, while its Digital TV division recorded a modest 2.9% growth. Meanwhile, Airtel’s India revenue (excluding Indus Towers) grew 4.8%, and its Africa business reported a solid 5.6% quarter-on-quarter growth in constant currency terms.
He also noted the company’s strategy of focusing on acquiring high-value customers and accelerating Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) expansion. However, he acknowledged challenges in Airtel Business, as the company is actively restructuring its portfolio by investing in digital services such as cloud, security, and IoT, while reducing reliance on low-margin commodity voice and wholesale business.
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Why it’s important
Bharti Airtel’s stellar Q3 performance highlights the evolving dynamics of India’s telecom sector, where higher tariffs, increased smartphone adoption, and a shift towards premium customers are driving profitability. This sharp profit surge underscores the industry’s potential for sustained growth, despite challenges such as pricing pressures, infrastructure investments, and competitive market conditions.
The company’s business restructuring strategy is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects a broader industry trend towards high-value digital services. By investing in cloud computing, security, and IoT solutions, Airtel is positioning itself for long-term sustainability in an increasingly digital-first world. However, as Vittal mentioned, the transition could temporarily impact top-line revenue in the coming quarters.
Furthermore, the prepayment of ₹3,626 crore in high-cost spectrum dues demonstrates Airtel’s commitment to deleveraging its balance sheet and ensuring financial stability. Yet, Vittal’s remarks about the need for further tariff adjustments highlight ongoing concerns about the industry’s pricing structure and the necessity for continued investment in network infrastructure.
As India gears up for next-generation connectivity and AI-driven digital services, Bharti Airtel’s strategic focus on premiumisation and digital expansion will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s telecom landscape over the next few years.
Bharti Airtel reports a 460.9% YoY surge in Q3 net profit, reaching ₹16,134.6 crore ($1.94B), driven by mobile revenue growth, tariff adjustments, and digital services expansion.
