Bharti Q4 profits at Rs 682 cr, up by 49%

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) Maintaining its strong growth momentum Bharti Airtel Ltd today reported a 49 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 682 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2006 as against Rs 459 crore for the same period last year.

Net profits for the year ended March 2006 stood at Rs 2,258 crore-- a 51 per cent jump from Rs 1,498 crore recorded last year.

''The last quarter was the best for Bharti and we hope to maintain these growth rates. With more network being ruled out, we see no reason why our market shares should not improve this year,'' Bharti Airtel Ltd Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Sunil Mittal told reporters here today.

The company has a 21.8 per cent market share as on March 31 2006, and has reported a 46 per cent increase in its revenue at Rs 11,663 crore for the same period.

On investment plans for the coming year Mr Mittal said,'' We are investing a large scale of money this year. Our CAPEX for 2006-07 will be 1.8 to 2 billion dollars. We are also doubling our network and will spread out to smaller towns and villages''.

The company has covered around 80,000 villages and 3,800 towns and plans to reach around 5,200 towns in the coming year.

UNI RA MP BD1949