How Vocus could be the proving ground for an NBN bid
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The reformed telecoms company is the ideal proving ground for Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Management to display its credentials, before the privatisation of the national broadband network.
A marriage of Axicom’s network of towers and Vocus’ 20,000 kilometres of fibre would provide suitable scale for MIRA to succeed in both mobile and fixed line markets.
Glenn Hunt
While this is still some years away, MIRA has spent recent times beefing up its global telco portfolio to include tower infrastructure and data centres. Vocus – with its vast optic-fibre network – is likely the $3.4 billion capstone.
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Vocus NZ a ‘strong and stable performer’ as revenue rises
EBITDA also up 5 per cent to $35.7 million
Kevin Russell (Vocus Group) Credit: Vocus Group
Vocus’ New Zealand business has been labelled a “strong and stable performer” by its Group CEO, with revenue rising 5 per cent year-on-year, to $210 million, year-on-year, for the half year ending 31 December.
Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were also up 5 per cent, to $35.7 million compared to the same period last year, according to documents released by the telco provider to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
Vocus has posted strong financials in H1 FY2021 to complete its three-year turnaround plan ahead of schedule, crediting wins from enterprise and wholesale customers.
In the half year ended 31 December 2020, the telco reported revenue of $897.4 million, down 0.5 percent year over year from $901.9 million. EBITDA is up 3.8 percent year over year to $188.1 million, while net profit after tax is up 49 percent to $19.1 million.
The strongest segment for the period was Vocus Network Services, the company’s enterprise and wholesale business, which had 8 percent EBITDA growth and an 11 percent increase in recurring revenue.
In addition to government and enterprise, international customers and sales on the Australia-Singapore Cable also contributed to the growth.
Vocus on the mend after consecutive profit hits
Vocus on the mend after consecutive profit hits
A turnaround from net after-tax profit declines in H120, FY20 and FY19
Kevin Russell (Vocus Group) Credit: Vocus Group
Vocus Group has ended a run of declines in statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) and minority interests, recording a rise of 49.2 per cent year-on-year, to $19.1 million, for the six months ending 31 December.
This is a turnaround from the telecommunication services provider’s last few financial reports, which recorded declines in NPAT for the first half of the 2020 financial year, as well as FY20 and FY19.
The telco’s CEO, Kevin Russell, says the retail segment has gone through a tough couple of years but is still a strong anchor customer to Vocus Network Services.