JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – CDMA-based operator Smartfren Telecom (FREN), controlled by Sinarmas Group, targets its number of users to reach 15 million this year, a 32% growth compared to last year (11.3 million).
Most Smartfren’s users take data services, then Smartfren will boost its network capacity by adding 700 new base transceiver stations (BTS) and 4,000 km optic fiber.
The company also plans to boost its sale of equipment such as smartphone Andromax (series C and G), Smartfren currently sets average revenue per user (ARPU) at Rp20,000 per user and Rp45,000 ARPU for data.
Smartfren expects to book ebitda loss of Rp100-150 billion in 2013, narrowed from ebitda loss of Rp542 billion in 2012. The company is optimistic to book positive ebitda in the second quarter of this year.
Smartfren target its revenue to grow by 50% this year while operating costs, the major factor for negative ebitda last year, will only increase by 10-15%.
It expects to book revenue of Rp2.4 trillion last year with expected operating expenses of Rp3.25 trillion.