Netlink NBN Trust has reported that its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and profit after tax (PAT) for the 9MFY2021 ended December has increased by 3.6% and 5.9% respectively, compared to the corresponding period a year ago.

EBITDA and PAT for 9MFY2021 - which includes government grants - came in at $209.9 million and $69.5 million, compared to the 9MFY2020 figure of $202.6 million and $65.6 million. 

The Trust revealed revenue for 9MFY2021 decreased marginally by S$1.5 million as compared to 9MFY2020, mainly due to lower installation-related revenue, but this was offset by higher residential, Non-Building Address Point (NBAP) and segment connections revenue. 

As at 31 December 2020, there were 1,443,032 residential connections as compared to 1,421,173 connections as at 31 December 2019, a 1.5% increase y-o-y.

In a presentation, Netlink also revealed that residential connections made up the largest share of 9MFY21 revenue, at about 64.5%. Non-residential connections made up the next largest portion at 8.2%. 

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The Group also reported that its net cash from operating activities came in at $202.9 million in 9MFY2021, $11.8 million higher y-o-y. 

Netlink also said its focus for FY2021 in the residential sector was to connect households not on fibre via initiatives such as IMDA’s Home Access programme for low-income households, as well as connecting new homes and improving service provisioning quality of service (QoS)

It will also focus on a denser network in non-residential, NBAP and segment connections, adding capacity, flexibility and resilience, as well as preparing to support 5G infrastructure. 

Netlink will also focus on customised offerings to SMEs, improve presence in major Data Centres and making NBAP easier and faster to deploy.

Shares of Netlink NBN Trust closed at 94 cents, down 0.5 cents from the day before.