PT INDOSAT'S PROFIT UP 139.2 PCT IN FIRST QUARTER

Jakarta, April 22 (ANTARA) - State telecommunications operator PT Indosat Tbk. booked a net profit of Rp285.9 billion in the first quarter this year which was up Rp119.5 billion or 139.2 percent from the same period last year.

"The growth is driven by improved parameters in company operations," its president director, Harry Sasongko, said in a press statement received here on Thursday.

In the first three months of this year the company earned Rp4.73 trillion, which was 2.5 percent higher than Rp4.616 trillion recorded before.

Operating expenses rose 11.4 percent to Rp3.968 trillion from Rp3.56 trillion earlier.

The company's EBITDA (earning before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) meanwhile was recorded at Rp2.244 trillion, up 3.3 percent from Rp2.173 trillion.

So, the EBITDA's margin was recorded at 47.13 percent, up 0.3 points from 47.1 percent before.

"We keep seeing continued improvements marked by company earnings growth and the increasing number of customers," he said.

In the first three months of this year the subsidiary of Qatar Telecom added 5.98 million more customer numbers.

So, total numbers until the end of March 2010 are 39.1 millions, rising 17.6 percent from 33.3 numbers at the end of December 2009.

Although seasonal dynamics usually hinders performance during the first quarter this year's first three months have become a good start for Indosat.

"We keep working hard to assure more added value for customers and stakeholders," he said.

The company's debt until the end of March 2010 reached Rp24.937 trillion up 8.6 percent from Rp22.970 recorded before.