Canada's Shaw Communications reported a 1.8% year-on-year improvement in total revenues for its fiscal second quarter ending 28 February 2021, to CAD1.387 billion (USD1.106 billion), with a 6.2% EBITDA increase to CAD637 million and a 29.9% hike in three-month net profit to CAD217 million.
During the quarter, the group added 82,300 net mobile subscribers to its Freedom Mobile and Shaw Mobile brands – consisting of 75,100 post-paid and 7,200 pre-paid users, reaching totals of 1.644 million post-paid and 360,000 pre-paid. The total mobile base reached 2.005 million at the end of the period, up from 1.923 million three months earlier and 1.767 million in February 2020. Wireless service revenue for the three months increased 8.5% y-o-y to CAD218 million due to the increased subscriber base including 'significant' Shaw Mobile additions. Wireless equipment revenue rose 16.8% to CAD118 million mainly due to a higher mix of high-end device sales and lower handset subsidies. Quarterly ARPU decreased 4.2% y-o-y to CAD36.82.
Quarterly wireline division revenues (including internet, TV/video and telephony) decreased 0.8% y-o-y to CAD1.05 billion, as consumer revenue fell 1.1% to CAD909 million with growth in residential internet turnover offset by declines in cable/satellite TV/video and telephony. B2B revenue increased 0.7% y-o-y to CAD145 million driven by internet and continued demand for the Smart suite of products, partially offset by lower video revenue primarily related to COVID-19. Total consumer/B2B internet subscribers declined by a net 5,000 in three months to 2.063 million (down by a net 34,000 in twelve months).
Thanks to TeleGeography for this industry update.