Rogers 2012 Q1 Earnings: Smartphone Sales Grew, 35% Increase in iPhone Activations

Rogers has announced their 2012 Q1 earnings today and its wireless division was driven once again by smartphone sales (second highest quarter of smartphone activations), with iPhone activations up by 35% compared to the year ago quarter. Postpaid wireless subscribers increased by 47,000. Data revenue now made up 39% of wireless network revenue:

Wireless data revenue grew by 16% and net postpaid subscriber additions totalled 47,000, helping drive wireless data revenue to now comprise 39% of Wireless network revenue compared to 34% in the same quarter last year. During the first quarter, Wireless activated 642,000 smartphones, of which approximately 34% were for subscribers new to Wireless. This resulted in subscribers with smartphones, who typically generate ARPU nearly twice that of voice only subscribers, representing 60% of the overall postpaid subscriber base as at March 31, 2012, up from 45% as at March 31, 2011.

Q1 revenue came in at $2.95 billion (it decreased from $2.98 billion in the year ago quarter), with profit at $1.09 billion. Voice Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) decreased due to ‘heightened competitive intensity’ but was offset by an increase in wireless data revenue, which represented approximately 39% of total network revenue (compared to 34% in the year ago quarter).

The overall addition of smartphones increased the percentage of subscribers with smartphones to 60% of Wireless’ total postpaid subscriber base at March 31, 2012, compared to 45% as at March 31, 2011. These subscribers generally commit to new multi-year term contracts, typically generate ARPU nearly twice that of voice only subscribers, and churn at lower rates than voice only subscribers.

[via Rogers]

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.