Mobile phone operator Sun Cellular raised its net service revenues by a robust 17.54 percent the first quarter of 2012, earning P4.2 billion versus P3.6 billion for the same period last year, the highest growth rate for any local telco this year, a press release from the firm said.

Revenue from Sun Cellular’s postpaid segment in the first quarter of 2012 grew by 20.91 precent compared to the same period last year.

2G postpaid subscribers at the end of March increased to 1.41 million, up 26 percent from 1.12 million in the same period last year.

Sun Cellular President and Chief Executive Officer Orlando Vea attributed the company’s strong first quarter results to the encouraging consumer response to its service offers and the marked improvement of Sun’s network coverage powered by its synergy with parent company, PLDT, the press release said.

Vea added that the company will continue to improve its network quality, particularly with regard to indoor signal strength and capacity.

Utilizing an all-IP network, Sun Cellular is deploying high-gain antennae as well as upgraded network elements in its continued efforts to meet the growing demands for its postpaid and prepaid products and services, the press release said.

Sun Cellular Chief Operating officer Charles Lim added that the prepaid market continues to be robust for Sun Cellular as this segment grew by 10 percent in the first quarter to P2.2 billion compared with P2 billion for the same period last year.

He also said that the firm’s wireless broadband business continued to perform strongly, registering a 54 percent rise in net service revenues to P487.1 million for the first quarter this year.

“Our broadband subscriber base at the end of March climbed 54 percent for postpaid subscribers and 73 percent for prepaid subscribers respectively compared with the same period last year. We are expecting these numbers to rise steadily given the market’s greater demand for mobility,” Lim said.

When PLDT acquired Sun Cellular from the JG Summit group last year, it committed to continue offering its signature unlimited service packages. In addition, initiatives to integrate the PLDT, Smart and Sun networks are being pursued to support these service offerings, the press release said.*

back to top