Telkom’s revenues from voice telephony plummeted in the past year, falling by 19,1% to R6,9bn. The fall was only partly offset by a 14,9% increase in data revenues.

In the six months to 30 September 2010, Telkom’s overall fixed-line traffic volumes fell 10,8% to 10,5bn minutes, from 11,8bn minutes previously. Local call traffic fell 20,2% to 2,9bn minutes. And international outgoing calls fell even more precipitously, down 22,5% year-on-year, to 238m minutes.

It wasn’t all bad news for Telkom, as data revenue increased partly on the back of growth in digital subscriber lines. The number of DSL users climbed 16% to 699 368 by the end of September, from 602 720 a year ago.

And Telkom has continued to enjoy success in signing up customers to its calling plans. The number of “Closer” subscribers surged 17% to 762 070.

Telkom says the interim results “paint a picture of an organisation under pressure”.

Group revenue fell 5,4% to R17,6bn, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was down 0,6% to R5,1bn, and profit from continuing operations fell 9,3% to R1,4bn.

The introduction of 8ta, Telkom’s new mobile service, is meant to provide it with an “essential tool for retaining and growing our customer base”. — Staff reporter, TechCentral