China Unicom released the financial and operating data in the first three quarters in 2016 on October 21.
Operation
In the first three quarters of 2016, China Unicom's mobile subscribers with expenditure reach 260 million, marking a net addition of 9.757 million over the end of 2015, with ARPU hitting CNY 47, a slight increase compared with the average of last year. 4G subscribers reach 88.906 million, representing a net increase of 44.75 million over the end of last year while ARPU is CNY 79.3; the mobile service revenue of China Unicom increased by 0.1% to CNY 109.638 billion year-on-year, which overcome the awkward decline trend of 1H16. Its fixed broadband subscribers reached 75.05 million with a net increase of 2.72 million while ARPU declines, compared with the average of last year.
Finance
China Unicom's service revenue in the first 3 quarters is CNY 182.752 billion with an increase of 1.7%, showing continuous improvement, while profit attributable to shareholders declines by 80.6% YoY to CNY 1,588 million. Fixed network services bring revenue of CNY 71.908 billion with a year-on-year increase of 3.9%. China Unicom's overall service revenue was CNY 182.752 billion, going up by 1.7% year on year.
During the period, China Unicom's sales expense increases by 14.3% to CNY 25.434 billion. Cost of network, operation and support grows by 32% over the same period of last year, principally due to the increased tower usage fee, larger energy input and the rising rent. EBITDA falls by 16.8% year-on-year to CNY 61.749 billion, accounting for 33.8% of the service revenue.