Tattoo, the broadband brand of Globe Telecom, kicked off the first quarter of the year with growth in revenues and subscriber base, propelled by continuous market demand for internet connectivity both in homes and on-the-go.
As of end-March 2013, the company’s broadband business remained robust, driven by its innovative offers and bundled promos that deliver the fastest internet speeds. Broadband revenues were at P2.5 billion, up from P2.0 billion from previous year’s levels, delivering a commendable 23% growth amid intense competition among broadband services.
Tattoo also grew its subscriber base by 17% from 1.5 million in 1Q 2012 to 1.7 million in 1Q 2013, attributable to the steady take-up in nomadic and DSL internet services. With growth in subscriber base and revenues, the brand increased its contribution to overall 1Q 2013 revenue mix to 12%, higher than previous year at 10%. The broadband business sustained its growth momentum stemming from the constant demand for nomadic or mobile and indoor internet access.
A differentiated pricing strategy on Tattoo’s 4G product line sustained the growth of the telco’s broadband business, with the Tattoo 4G Flash available for P995 complete with six months of free Facebook access, in addition to the boost in internet speeds of up to 7.2 mbps, while the Tattoo 4G Superstick now available at P2,895. On the other hand, Tattoo@Home now offers unlimited calls to Globe and TM subscribers, in addition to landline and Internet services in every Tattoo@Home broadband bundle.
Meanwhile, fixed-line data segment was bullish from as of end-March 2013, posting P1.1 billion revenues, an increase of 11% year-on-year and 2% quarter-on-quarter. In contrast to the first three months of 2012, growth in 2013 has continued due to heightening demand for high-speed data nodes, transmission links, and bandwidth capacity to serve the needs of business and enterprise customers, including those in the financial and retail sector as well as the offshoring and outsourcing industries.
Head of Tattoo Nikko Acosta said that the brand’s consistent brisk business activity will solidify its position in the local broadband business, fueled by its sustained growth and in relation to the telco’s expanding LTE network that is future proof, ready to accommodate bandwidth-heavy services.
He likewise attributed the positive performance to enterprises’ patronization of Tattoo, being part and parcel of Globe Business Mobility Solutions suite, as integral to their communications requirements, “especially now that the business activities are now being conducted more often in the field, away from the confines of the office.”
Meanwhile, Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said he is upbeat and optimistic about the company’s growth prospects for its broadband business after recording successive quarters of revenue gains.
“Our excellent broadband performance is a reflection of the growing preference toward the Tattoo brand. On a larger perspective, it is also a testament that the benefits of our network modernization are steadily manifesting, with vast improvements in data delivery as one of the major guarantees of the new Globe network,” the Globe chief remarked.