Southeast Asian operator group Axiata announced solid figures for the first quarter of 2014, as it saw growth in data and value added services (VAS) contrasting with weakness in SMS.

The company announced a profit attributable to shareholders of MYR674.9 million ($209.3 million), up 9.8 per cent year-on-year, on revenue of MYR4.5 billion, up 0.7 per cent.

It saw growth in voice, “pure data” and value added service revenue, although this was partially offset by decreases in SMS and “other” sales. Voice now makes up 61.3 per cent of the group total, down from 62 per cent, with SMS making up 12.5 per cent, down from 14.9 per cent.

Contrastingly, VAS now contributes 6.7 per cent of the total, up from 6.3 per cent. Data makes up 19.4 per cent, up from 16.7 per cent.

The company also said that it is “on track” to meet its headline key performance indicators, including a guidance of high single-digit revenue growth.

For its Celcom business (Malaysia), the company saw a profit of MYR458 million, down 1.8 per cent, on revenue of MYR1.9 billion, down 3.8 per cent (it is Axiata’s single biggest unit). Data revenue increased by 16 per cent year-on-year when measured in local currency, while SMS revenue dropped by 24 per cent during the same period.

Celcom also saw a decline in its voice revenue.

Smartphone penetration increased to 35 per cent from 24 per cent. The unit ended the period with 13.3 million subscribers, up 2 per cent year-on-year.

In its XL business (Indonesia), the company has bolstered its position through the acquisition of Axis. Profit increased by 6.3 per cent to MYR70 million, on revenue which decreased by 3.7 per cent to MYR1.5 billion, (although revenue increased by 10 per cent year-on-year in local currency, largely driven by data services).

Data and value added service revenue increased by 29 per cent, with voice and SMS increasing by 3 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.

It ended the period with 68.5 million subscribers.

Dialog (Sri Lanka) saw a 19.4 per cent decrease in profit to MYR27 million, on revenue which increased 11.2 per cent to MYR412 million (up 7 per cent in local currency, with data revenue increasing by 57 per cent). It noted a partnership with Etisalat to offer eZ cash services to a combined 12.7 million subscribers.

Robi (Bagladesh) saw a profit increase of 31.4 per cent  to MYR41 million, on revenue up 17.7 per cent to MYR496 million (increasing 8 per cent in local currency, “despite heightened competition”). Data revenue more than doubled.

And for its Smart unit (Cambodia), profit increased fivefold to MYR21 million, on revenue which increased by 88.1 per cent to MYR132 million (39 per cent in local currency). Investments are planned in a new BSS platform with enhanced capabilities.