Cable & Wireless Communications announced plans to invest an additional USD 250 million in the next three years to boost growth and improve the quality of its services. This will result in total capital expenditure for the period to March 2017 of USD 1.05 billion, after spending USD 306 million last year. The Project Marlin investments follow the disposal of its activities outside Latin America, a sharp reduction in debt with the proceeds and a strategic review of its remaining assets.
The investment will go to developing mobile leadership in its markets, fixed-mobile convergence, a stronger TV offering and more business services. It should result in a reversal of the historic decline in revenues and "modest" top-line growth, as well as a mid to high single-digit CAGR in EBITDA in the period to March 2017, supported by optimisation of back office processes. In addition, CWC targets an improved Net Promoter Score and an incremental return on invested capital.
The new CEO Phil Bentley said the company's activities were performing below their potential. While the rate of decline in the fixed-line business has slowed, it had yet to take advantage fully of growth opportunities in broadband, TV and the enterprise segment and develop a more competitive cost structure.
The plans were unveiled with its annual results for the year to March 2014, showing revenues from continuing operations down 4 percent to USD 1.873 billion, as growth in mobile, broadband and TV revenue across each of the operator's businesses was more than offset by declining fixed voice and enterprise revenue. On a like-for-like basis, adjusting for a change in accounting following outsourcing of the Lime directory business, and the sale of Afinis in Africa, revenue was 1 percent lower than the prior year.
EBITDA was up 5 percent to USD 608 million, and net profit, excluding one-time items, increased 45 percent to USD 148 million. Net debt was down by USD 1.4 billion to USD 205 million pro forma, following the disposal of Monaco Telecom post year-end.
