CelcomDigi highlighted progress on merger integration efforts, which is improving downlink data rates as it revealed mixed results in Q3.

In its earnings release, CelcomDigi said network integration and modernisation reached more than 4,400 sites at end-October, with download rates improved by up to 17 per cent in areas where sites have been upgraded.

It also phased out 1,600 sites.

Net profit fell 3.8 per cent year-on-year to MYR459 million ($98 million), impacted by the accelerated depreciation of network assets.

Service revenue was flat at MYR2.7 billion, with post-paid down 2.3 per cent to MYR1.3 billion and prepaid rising 1.9 per cent to MYR1.1 billion.

Device sales increased 13 per cent to MYR392 million.

Capex increased 8.6 per cent to MYY385 million to support network capacity upgrades and IT integration initiatives.

CelcomDigi stated it is accelerating network investment in the current quarter.

The combined user based of Celcom and Digi increased 3.2 per cent to 20.6 million, with balanced growth in prepaid and post-paid subscribers. 

Prepaid RPU declined 3.4 per cent to MYR28 and post-post 5.6 per cent to MYR67.

Average monthly data usage under the Celcom brand rose 13.7 per cent to 29.8GB.

Capex in the first nine months declined 24.6 per cent to MYR745 million.