NEW DELHI – Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecommunications service provider, has reported a significant 37% year-on-year increase in its consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. The company attributed this substantial growth primarily to the impact of recent tariff increases across its services and consistent expansion of its subscriber base.

The telecom major posted a consolidated net profit of ₹2,072 crore for the January-March 2024 period, a notable rise from ₹1,512 crore recorded in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. This financial performance underscores the positive effects of strategic pricing adjustments implemented over the past year, which have aimed to improve Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) across the industry. Consolidated revenue for the quarter also saw an uptick, reaching ₹39,500 crore, compared to ₹36,000 crore in the same period last year, indicating broader operational strength.

Key financial and operational highlights from the quarter include:

  • Average Revenue Per User (ARPU): Airtel's ARPU, a critical metric for telecom operators, rose to approximately ₹209 for the quarter. This represents a sequential increase from previous quarters and a year-on-year improvement, directly benefiting from the tariff revisions.
  • Subscriber Growth: The company continued to expand its subscriber footprint, adding millions of new users, particularly in the mobile services segment. As of March 31, 2024, Airtel's total mobile subscriber base in India stood at approximately 348 million.
  • EBITDA: Consolidated EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation) for the quarter was reported at ₹20,950 crore, reflecting healthy operational efficiency and margin expansion.
  • Segment Performance: The India mobile services business remained the primary growth driver, complemented by steady performance from its enterprise, home broadband, and African operations.

The sustained focus on enhancing network quality, coupled with strategic tariff interventions, has been central to Airtel’s improved financial health. Company executives, in their post-earnings commentary, highlighted the importance of a robust ARPU for continued investment in network infrastructure, including the ongoing 5G rollout across the country. The telecom industry in India has been advocating for higher tariffs to ensure sector sustainability and to support significant capital expenditure requirements for next-generation technologies.

Looking ahead, the Indian telecom market continues to evolve with rapid 5G deployment and increasing data consumption. Bharti Airtel is expected to maintain its strategy of balancing subscriber growth with ARPU enhancement. The wider industry watches closely for potential further tariff rationalisation, which remains a key determinant for the long-term profitability and investment cycles of telecom operators in India.