Cable and broadband operator DEN Networks has said that its broadband business has broken even at an EBITDA level for the quarter ended 31st December 2016, "despite telecom freebies". That might not last long, though, since it has said that it intends to expand its broadband footprint to 15-20 new towns in the next 6-9 months. The company reported "pre activation" broadband revenues of Rs 21 crore for the quarter, the same as the previous quarter, but showed a decline in operational expenditure, down to Rs 21 crore from Rs 22 crore the previous quarter. Year on year, revenue has increased 82% from Rs 12 crore to Rs 21 crore, and losses have declined from Rs 16 crore to break-even. Cable, though, remains a majority of DEN's business, at Rs 276 for the quarter, significantly profitable at an EBITDA level with an operational expenditure of Rs 104 crore. The company reported a post-tax loss for the quarter of Rs 7.4 crores, down from Rs 8.1 crore last quarter, and Rs 20.2 crore for Q3 FY16. Over a nine month period, DEN has reported broadband revenues of Rs 60 crores, at an operational expenditure of Rs 70 crore. Operational metrics - Added close to 20,000 broadband subscribers during the quarter, slower growth than last quarter, when it added 25,000 subscribers. - total subscription of 159,000, up from around 140,000 last quarter - ARPU for the quarter was Rs 752, down significantly from Rs 775 in the last quarter, and Rs 780…
