MEA-focused operator group Ooredoo saw a sharp increase in Q3 profit, although the numbers were flattered by some one-off issues, as it also touted strength in its data business.

The company reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of QAR756 million ($207.7 million), more than doubled year-on-year, on revenue which dropped 2 per cent to QAR8.16 billion.

It said that its profit for the period was boosted by improved margins and the sale of non-core assets, while the previous year also suffered due to provisions made for an Indonesian court case.

EBITDA for the quarter increased by 6 per cent to QAR3.56 billion.

During the period, the company sold its stake in Philippines business Wi-Tribe.

It noted issues including the security situation in Iraq and adverse currency movements in Indonesia, Algeria and Tunisia.

Data revenue now represents 35 per cent of Ooredoo’s total.

“4G+ is now the standard for our customers in Qatar and Kuwait and we will be rolling out bigger, faster and better networks in the rest of our operating countries,” said Nasser Marafih, group CEO of Ooredoo.

The company ended the period with 114.9 million customers, a 20 per cent increase from the end of Q3 2014. This has been driven by strong performances in Indonesia, Myanmar, Algeria, Qatar and Oman.

For its home market of Qatar, Ooredoo said it had a “solid performance” so far in 2015, with data continuing to be a driver of revenue and profit growth.

It also said it had benefited from its “4G+ first mover advantage” in Kuwait.

In Iraq, Asiacell recorded improved revenue, EBITDA and net profit in Q3 compared to the prior sequential quarter. In addition to reactivating parts of its network in certain areas, Ooredoo also said that that the aggressive pricing that had characterised the market had calmed.