Telenor Q2 net profit slumps 61%

Norwegian telecom major Telenor, which plans to launch services in the Indian market later this year, today posted a profit at 1.38 billion Norwegian kroner (about $220 million) for the second quarter, a fall of 61 per cent over the year-ago period.

The company had a profit of 3.54 billion Norwegian kroner in the same period a year ago, it said in a statement.

Telenor's revenues slumped to 26.92 billion Norwegian kroner during April-June 2009 compared to 27.06 billion Norwegian kroner in the year-ago period.

"The trends from the first quarter of 2009 continued into this quarter, with a challenging business environment also affecting the telecom sector.

"In spite of pressure on the top line development our operations are improving their performance, resulting in a record high operating cash flow," Telenor President and Chief Executive Officer Jon Fredrik Baksaas said.

Telenor has acquired a 49 per cent stake in Indian telecom player Unitech Wireless for more than Rs 3,300 crore. The company is looking to hike its shareholding in Unitech Wireless to 67.25 per cent and is awaiting approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

The Norwegian firm plans to launch services in India in the fourth quarter.