Pangilinan-led PLDT Inc. saw its net income in the first nine months of the year inch up by 1 percent to P28.1 billion from the P27.9 billion reported in the same period last year on the back of sustained growth in its core businesses.
During the same period, PLDT reported its core income rose by two percent to P26.6 billion from P26.1 billion year-on-year.
Consolidated gross service revenues increased by four percent to P155 billion from P149.8 billion reported in the same period last year, with data and broadband businesses contributing 83 percent of the revenues at P120.4 billion.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) stood at P80.7 billion, higher by three percent from the P78.4 billion year-on-year. EBITDA margin was at 52 percent during the period.
Among its core businesses, individual wireless business accounted for the highest share at P62.1 billion, followed by home broadband at P45.2 billion and enterprise business at P36.1 billion.
Active mobile data users stood at 41.2 million, while mobile data traffic increased by 10 percent year-on-year to 3,989 petabytes, primarily supported by the rollout of new sites and expansion of LTE sites.
PLDT’s fiber footprint was said to be the most extensive in the Philippines, with homes reaching 18.3 million, covering 91 percent of total provinces.
Meanwhile, Smart’s combined 5G/4G network covers around 97 percent of the population.
In a statement, PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said: "Today, telco is not merely a technology, it’s a lifeline. Our customers expect connectivity that is instantaneous, seamless, reliable and extensive, and products and services that work every time and everywhere. We must continue to intensify our focus on delivering exceptional customer service, as we strive to transform our networks into platforms for innovation, enabling new industries, new products, new services and new ways of life.
With only two months left before the year ends, Pangilinan said that PLDT is on track to hit its target of P35 billion core income for the full year 2024.