Despite Q1FY19 profit, key performance metrics of Idea remain weak

Idea, which will soon be merged with Vodafone India, has seen deterioration in revenues, operating profit, margins and average revenue per user

Even though Idea Cellular has reported a surprise net profit of Rs 2.57 billion for the June quarter due to a one-time gain from the sale of its towers assets, the key performance metrics of the company remain weak.

The Aditya Birla Group company, which will soon be merged with Vodafone India, has seen deterioration in revenues, operating profit, margins and average revenue per user (ARPU). In fact, an ARPU of Rs 100 is lowest in the industry as compared to Rs 102 of Vodafone, Rs 105 of Bharti Airtel and Rs 135 of Reliance Jio. Analysts say that it