MEA-based operator group Ooredoo said it produced “satisfactory” results for the first quarter of 2014, noting that “while our markets and our opportunities continue to grow, competition also continues to intensify”.

Nasser Marafih (pictured), group CEO, said: “As we continue to invest in our broadband networks, Ooredoo is increasingly becoming a data-centric business which opens up a huge range of opportunity. We are starting to see the results of our strategy with the positive performances of markets such as Qatar, Oman, and Algeria where we have invested in deepening and expanding our network capability with positive results.”

The company announced a 9.7 per cent increase in profit attributable to shareholders to QAR887 million ($243.67 million), on revenue down 3.4 per cent year-on-year to QAR8.1 billion.

It said that revenue decreased due to the “challenging operating environment and depreciation of the Indonesian Rupiah”, although this was partially offset by strong growth in data revenue.

On a geographic basis, it said that its results for Qatar, Oman and Algeria were “robust”, while the operating environment “remains tough with persistent price competition in Iraq, Kuwait and Indonesia”.

EBITDA fell by 8.5 per cent to QAR3.4 billion due to the “competitive challenges in our markets”, foreign exchange impact, and investment in its new network in Myanmar.

Net profit increased due to “positive foreign exchange trends in Indonesia during Q1 2014”.

Its customer base stood at 96.7 million at the end of the period, up 6.3 per cent from the end of Q1 2013.