Optus Business harvests $160m from ICT services in one quarter

Optus Business pulled in $160 million in revenue from ICT and managed services in its fourth quarter ending 31 March 2015, the carrier reported today.

The results show a continued rise in fortunes for the telco’s growing ICT services division in Australia, even though enterprise data, IP and voice revenue fell over the financial year ending 31 March 2015.

The slight downturn in enterprise data and IP and voice was offset by an 11 percent growth in revenue from ICT services and managed services compared to the quarter a year earlier. Optus reported a key factor in that result was the sale of hardware and continued services growth.

For the entire financial year, Optus Business pulled in $545 million in ICT and managed services revenue, approximately $22 million more than the previous year.

The ICT and managed service segment ranks as by far the largest contributor to Optus’ overall enterprise revenues.

The telco has reported several key wins over the year, including the renewal of Optus Business’ managed network services contract with the Australian Taxation Office for three years. The deal covers voice and data communications, contact centre and video conferencing services.

Optus Business also struck a deal involving “real time” marketing with Westfield Shopping Centres. The carrier is rolling out wi-fi across the shopping centre network.

Optus also announced last year it would partner with FireEye to spend up to SU$50 million to build security operations centre in the region, including in Sydney.

The carrier also clinched a seven-year deal to provider Suncorp Group’s comprehensive managed ICT managed services.

Today’s in its earnings result, parent Singtel stated its goal was to be a “leading global managed security services provider”, and announced plans to spend $1.8 billion on capital expenditure in Australia on an actual basis.

Overall, revenue from Optus' enterprise business in Australia was up 4.4 percent to $410 million for the quarter, compared to the same period a year earlier. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was up 14 percent to $83 million for the quarter.

Optus overall operating revenue for the financial year was up 4 percent to $8.8 billion, while net profit grew 1 percent to $841 million.