Management Discussion and Analysis
Third Quarter 2020
Please note that all financial figures and analyses are based on the applicable accounting policy for 2019 and 2020, unless otherwise stated
Executive Summary
While the pandemic peak impact resulting in strict lockdown and shop closure was observed in Q220, this quarter displayed a continuation of its prolonged impact on the economy. Despite countrywide well- controlled spread measures and businesses resuming their normal operations, the absence of tourists and lack of activities in the tourism industry pose an immediate concern to the business and other underlying industries, leading to challenging economic development. We had observed yet another quarter-long of zero tourists, loss of revenues from some migrants and international roaming, and clearer indication of spending optimization across customer segments.
In Q320, dtac continued customer-centric approach through delivering relevant products and services to promptly alleviate customer concern from the uncertain market conditions and extended economic pressure. We introduced packages with adjacent services, many that are specifically tailored to the varying demand of customer occupation group (i.e. students, motorcycle rider, etc.) and seasonality (i.e. Covid-19, and rainy season insurance). Through strategic partnership across business sectors, we made sure that relevant products and services have greater accessibility to the mass Thai market for full redemption of additional benefits and offers. In the B2B space, we launched dtac Business consisting of worry-free sims, IoT solutions, and SmartConnect, all of which are simplified solutions developed to solve customer pain-points in a worry-free manner along with offerings of digital service channels.
Market competition, particularly in the prepaid segment, was further intensified in Q320. Although maintained at slightly higher price points, the unlimited data allowance at a fixed speed remained in the main acquisition portfolio offered by all operators. On top of this, all operators re-introducedlower-speed unlimited pack with very competitive pricing.
Adapting to the evolving market landscape, dtac took priority in digital transformation journey. The
pandemic aftermath included spike in digital usage, engagement, and adoption. Similar to how businesses appeared to reshape their way of work on a long-term basis, dtac observed many digital adoption trends that persisted even after ease of lockdown and social distance measures. dtac is working to continuously enhance online experience and engagement. Meanwhile internally, we had progressed with initiatives to digitalize, from pushing for digital customer interaction, to digitalizing our distribution channels and operations.
Following last quarter submission of request for 700 MHz early award by region, dtac is currently waiting on official confirmation from NBTC. In Q320, dtac also rolled out and launched showcase on the 26 GHz mmWave band in selected locations. A number of mmWave band use case trials through industry partnership are also ongoing. At the end of Q320, dtac had a total of approximately 18,917 nodes of 4G-2300 MHz network installed.
At the end of Q320, total active subscriber base stood at 18.7 million, a decline of 107k from the end of Q220 as a result of gradual recovery in acquisition and better churn management. The subscriber base decline consisted of prepaid at 73k and postpaid at 34k. Approximately 32.3% of total subscriber base were postpaid subscribers.
Service revenues excluding IC in Q320 dropped 1.7% QoQ and 7.6% YoY. Core service revenues (defined by bundle of voice and data service revenues) in Q320 declined 1.4% QoQ and 5.3% YoY as a result of prolonged economic impact from COVID-19. Blended ARPU went up slightly 0.8% QoQ and declined at 2.1% YoY in Q320. In Q320, EBITDA (before other items) declined 4.3% QoQ and 3.0% YoY from slow recovery in revenue, increase in SG&A items from pickup in sales and marketing activities and general administrative items from their previous low level. EBITDA margin for Q320 was 40.7%. However, excluding revenues from CAT lease agreements and TOT network rental, EBITDA
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Management Discussion and Analysis
Third Quarter 2020
margin stood at 47.7%. Net profit for Q320 amounted to THB 1,436 million.
We revised guidance for 2020 on service revenue excluding IC from low-single digit decline to mid- single digit decline, while maintaining the rest which are EBITDA at 2019 level and capital expenditure of THB 8-10 billion.
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Management Discussion and Analysis
Third Quarter 2020
Operational Summary
In Q320, total subscriber base stood at 18.7 million, declining 107k from Q220. The decline was accounted by mostly prepaid due to slow recovery from the prolonged COVID-19 impact and aggressive competition. Prepaid subscriber dropped 73k to 12.6 million. Postpaid subscriber base stood at 6.0 million.
Average Revenue per User excluding IC (ARPU) for Q320 was THB 255 per month, which was a slight increase of 0.8% QoQ and decline of 1.3% YoY. At the end of Q320, postpaid subscriber base accounted for approximately 32.3% of total subscriber base. Postpaid ARPU for Q320 was THB 517 per month, showing a decline of 1.4% QoQ and 4.7% YoY, while prepaid ARPU was THB 129 per month, showing an increase of 3.2% QoQ but a drop of 9.0% YoY, driven by overall spending prioritization across customer segment and intense competition.
Traffics on TOT's 4G-2300MHz network continued to stay at the high level, driven by change in customer behavior as part of the new normal adaptation after the lockdown. No. of 4G-2300MHz installed base stations under the partnership with TOT reached approximately 18,917 at end of Q320. The number of 4G users was 11.6 million, representing approximately 62% of total subscriber base. The number of 4G compatible device increased to 82% of total subs base. Smartphone penetration is now at 87%.
Active subscribers (in thousand) | Q319 | Q220 | Q320 | %QoQ | %YoY |
Postpaid | 6,382 | 6,076 | 6,043 | -0.6% | -5.3% |
Prepaid | 14,033 | 12,713 | 12,641 | -0.6% | -9.9% |
Total active subscribers | 20,416 | 18,790 | 18,683 | -0.6% | -8.5% |
Net additional subscribers (in thousand) | Q319 | Q220 | Q320 | %QoQ | %YoY |
Postpaid | 79 | (78) | (34) | -57.0% | -142.8% |
Prepaid | (295) | (757) | (73) | -90.4% | 75.3% |
Total net additional subscribers | (217) | (835) | (107) | -87.2% | 50.8% |
MoU (minutes/sub/month) | Q319 | Q220 | Q320 | %QoQ | %YoY |
Postpaid | 225 | 196 | 199 | 1.4% | -11.7% |
Prepaid | 85 | 79 | 78 | -1.5% | -7.7% |
Blended MoU | 125 | 116 | 117 | 0.5% | -6.5% |
Postpaid excluding Incoming minutes | 158 | 135 | 136 | 1.1% | -13.7% |
Prepaid excluding Incoming minutes | 62 | 55 | 54 | -1.2% | -12.0% |
Blended MoU excluding Incoming minutes | 90 | 80 | 81 | 0.5% | -9.8% |
ARPU (THB/sub/month) - (Post-TFRS 15) | Q319 | Q220 | Q320 | %QoQ | %YoY |
Postpaid | 562 | 539 | 531 | -1.4% | -5.5% |
Prepaid | 147 | 129 | 133 | 3.0% | -9.8% |
Blended ARPU | 267 | 260 | 262 | 0.8% | -2.1% |
Postpaid excluding IC | 543 | 525 | 517 | -1.4% | -4.7% |
Prepaid excluding IC | 142 | 125 | 129 | 3.2% | -9.0% |
Blended ARPU excluding IC | 258 | 253 | 255 | 0.8% | -1.3% |
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Financial Summary
Revenues
Total revenues in Q320 amounted to THB 19,053 million, decreased slightly at 0.6% QoQ and 6.1% YoY from decline in service revenue and handsets and starter kits sales. The decrease was slightly offset by higher other operating income from TOT 2300 MHz network rental. Service revenues excluding IC decreased 1.7% QoQ and 7.6% YoY down to THB 14,375 million.
Core service revenues (defined by bundle of voice and data service revenues) in Q320 amounted to THB 14,003 million, reducing 1.4% QoQ and 5.3% YoY from the prolonged economic impact from the pandemic along with competition, which began to intensify once again. Competition in prepaid remain relatively more intense than postpaid.
International Roaming (IR) revenues in Q320 amounted to THB 46 million, decreasing at 41.1% QoQ and 71.3% YoY. The significant reduction is a continued result of COVID-19impact causing Thailand borders to remain close for international travels.
Other service revenues in Q320 amounted to THB 326 million, a reduction of 7.0% QoQ and 45.6% YoY from declining trend in IDD revenues.
Handset and starter kit sales in Q320 amounted to THB 1,249 million, decreasing 9.4% QoQ and 28.1% YoY. The current decline is slightly lower than the Q220 shop closure sales decline. Nevertheless, the reduction reflected customer spending optimization as a result of prolonged economic impact.
Cost of Services
Cost of services excluding IC in Q320 amounted to THB 11,309 million, increasing slightly 1.1% QoQ from regulatory fee, and increasing 2.5% YoY driven by costs related to partnership with TOT on 2300 MHz wireless business. The overall increase is slightly offset by reduction in network cost from optimization effort.
Regulatory costs in Q320 amounted to THB 603 million, increasing 13.4% QoQ but declining 11.4% YoY. The quarterly increase reflected one-off reduction in Q220. Regulatory costs in Q320 accounted for 4.2% of
Management Discussion and Analysis
Third Quarter 2020
service revenue (excluding IC), which increased from 3.6% in Q220 and decreased from 4.4% in Q319.
Network OPEX in Q320 amounted to THB 1,466 million, reducing 9.7% QoQ and 16.8% YoY primarily from network and IT ongoing cost optimization initiatives,
Other operating costs of services in Q320 amounted to THB 4,391 million, increasing 6.3% QoQ and 11.7% YoY, driven by roaming cost on 2300 MHz paid to TOT. TOT's 2300 MHz roaming cost, net of corresponding revenues, was approximately THB 1,241 million in Q320, a small 0.5% QoQ increase.
Depreciation and Amortization (D&A) of costs of services in Q320 amounted to THB 4,849 million, decreasing 1.0% QoQ and increasing 4.1% YoY, driven by continuing network expansion.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
SG&A expenses in Q320 amounted to 3,443 million, increasing 9.8% QoQ but decreasing 6.0% YoY. The increase QoQ reflected pickup in selling and marking activities and general administrative expense, and slightly offset by small decline in provision for bad debt.
Selling and Marketing (S&M) expenses in Q320 amounted to THB 1,031 million, increasing 23.0% QoQ but decreasing 12.7% YoY from pickup in commercial activities after the peak of COVID-19lockdown in Q220. The YoY reduction is a result of continued spending prioritization effort.
General administrative expenses in Q320 amounted to THB 1,631 million, increasing 11.4% QoQ from pickup in overall activities compared to Q220 lockdown but declining 6.5% YoY from ongoing cost optimization.
Provision for bad debt in Q320 amounted to THB 351 million, decreasing 15.1% QoQ and increasing slightly 3.1% YoY. Postpaid bad debt, which contributed to almost all of bad debt, was 3.5% of postpaid revenues in Q320. The current level reflected decline from 4.1% of postpaid revenues in Q220 or a slight increase from 3.4% of postpaid revenues in Q319.
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Total Access Communication pcl published this content on 16 October 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 16 October 2020 12:04:05 UTC