Australian operator Telstra reported total income of AUD 23.1 billion for its financial year 2021, which represents an increase of 11.6 percent. Net profit after tax increased by 3.4 percent to AUD 1.9 billion. Reported EBITDA decreased 14.2 percent to AUD 7.6 billion.
Basic earnings per share were 15.6 cents, up 2 percent year-on-year. Shareholders will receive a fully franked final dividend of 8 cents per share, including an ordinary dividend of 5 cents, and a special dividend of 3 cents. This brings the total dividend for the year to 16 cents per share, returning around AUD 1.9 billion to shareholders, Telstra said.
Telstra also says it currently has 8.8 million services on its 20 new simplified fixed and postpaid mobile Consumer and Small Business plans. It also has 3.5 million members signed up to its Telstra Plus rewards programme.
For Consumer and Small Business customers, digital sales interactions were up 9 percentage points to 39 percent compared to FY20, and overall digital service interactions now account for more than 73 percent of all service interactions.
Telstra also reports it has expanded its 5G rollout to selected areas in more than 200 cities and towns across Australia and the network now provides 5G coverage to more than 75 percent of the population. Today there are around 1.6 million 5G devices connected to the Telstra network, the company said.
Telstra’s financial guidance for FY22
For its financial year ending 30 June 2022, Telstra expects to reach total Income of AUD 21.6 billion to AUD 23.6 billion. Underlying EBITDA is foreacast to range between AUD 7 billion and AUD 7.3 billion, while capex is expected to be between AUD 2.8 billion and AUD 3 billion. Telstra also expects to reach free cash flow after lease payments (FCFal) of AUD 3.5 billion – AUD 3.9 billion.
