KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd, which recently listed its Malaysian operations, reported net profit of RM615 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2009.

It said on Nov 30, 2009 the earnings were 4% higher on-quarter. Revenue rose 2% on-quarter to RM2.15 billion.

The board of directors declared an interim single-tier tax exempt dividend of six sen per share, payable on Jan 15, 2010. Its entitlement date is Dec 31, 2009.

"Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 1% on-quarter to RM1.08 billion. A healthy EBITDA margin of above 50% was maintained. For the third quarter, the EBITDA margin was 50.4% compared to 50.7% in the previous quarter," it said.

Maxis chief executive officer Sandip Das said total mobile subscriptions rose to 11.7 million, adding that he was encouraged by growth in non-voice revenue, which accounts for 33% of mobility revenue.

"We anticipate that this will be an area for future growth," he said.

He added Maxis' investments over the last few quarters in modernising its 3G network were beginning to pay off.

"By the end of this year we are well on course towards accomplishing our plans to have a full HSPA 3G network in preparation for our ambitions in broadband," he said.

Commenting on the increase in revenue, he said this was primarily due to a 3% increase in total mobile subscriptions, bringing the company's total subscriptions to 11.7 million.

He said 3Q recorded healthy net additions of 312,000 driven by prepaid and wireless broadband subscriptions.