Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. Telecom major Bharti Airtel has reported a sharp 89% rise in its consolidated net profit to Rs 6,791.7 crore in the July-September quarter of FY2025-26. The company’s average revenue per user (ARPU) jumped by Rs 23, reaching Rs 256, compared to Rs 233 in the same period last year. The improved earnings per customer underline Airtel’s strong focus on premium users, data services, and postpaid growth.

Revenue rises 26% on robust data demand

Airtel’s total revenue from operations grew 25.73% year-on-year to Rs 52,145 crore, up from Rs 41,473 crore a year ago. The company said increased smartphone penetration, higher data consumption, and improved user retention boosted its overall earnings. Airtel’s sustained investment in network quality and customer experience also contributed to this growth.

Postpaid base expands with 9.5 lakh new customers

During the quarter, Airtel added 9.5 lakh postpaid subscribers, taking its total postpaid user base to 2.75 crore. Over the past 12 months, the company has added 2.22 crore new smartphone data users, marking an 8.4% annual increase. By the end of September, Airtel had 45 crore customers in India and 17.4 crore in Africa, serving a total of 62.4 crore users across 15 countries.

EBITDA margin remains strong at 57.4%

The company reported a consolidated EBITDA of Rs 29,919 crore for the quarter, reflecting its steady operational performance. The EBITDA margin stood at 57.4%, showing efficient cost control and healthy profitability. Analysts said Airtel’s consistent margin growth highlights its success in balancing expansion with financial discipline amid a competitive telecom environment.

ARPU up 10% as data usage drives growth

The rise in ARPU to Rs 256 marks a 10% increase over last year and underscores Airtel’s improved per-customer monetization. The ARPU figure is calculated by dividing total revenue by active users and is considered a key measure of a telecom company’s financial health. The jump indicates higher spending by users on data and premium plans, helping Airtel strengthen its earnings base.

Stock up 30% in one year, firm ranks third in India

Ahead of its quarterly results on November 3, Airtel’s stock closed at Rs 2,077, up 1.10% for the day. In the past month, it has risen 9.51%, while in six months it gained 11.31%. Over the past year, Airtel’s stock has climbed nearly 30.5%. With a market capitalization of Rs 12.43 lakh crore, it remains India’s third-largest company by value after Reliance Industries and TCS.

From early telecom entrant to global player

Bharti Airtel’s journey began in 1995 when founder Sunil Mittal launched Bharti Cellular Limited to offer mobile services under the Airtel brand. The Indian government had started issuing mobile service licenses in 1992, and Mittal partnered with French company Vivendi to secure the Delhi circle. Three decades later, Airtel operates across 15 countries, with a strong base in India and Africa, continuing to shape the digital telecom landscape.

Summary pointers:

• Airtel’s profit jumped 89% year-on-year to Rs 6,792 crore in Q2.
• The company earned Rs 23 more per customer this quarter.
• ARPU rose 10% to Rs 256 from Rs 233 last year.
• Revenue from operations climbed 26% to Rs 52,145 crore.
• Airtel added 9.5 lakh postpaid users; total 62.4 crore customers worldwide.
• EBITDA stood at Rs 29,919 crore with a 57.4% margin.
• Airtel stock rose 30% in one year; India’s third-largest firm by market value.