Airtel posts 3rd straight loss in Q3

Kolkata: Bharti AirtelNSE 0.52 % reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 1,035 crore in the October-December quarter, its third in succession, mainly due to one-time expenses relating to statutory dues and write-downs on 3G gear, besides higher finance costs. India mobile services though continued to recover with average revenue per user (ARPU) rising sequentially for the third straight quarter, helped by higher data usage and tariff hikes.

The company said viability was no longer a worry thanks to the Rs 21,502 crore it raised recently. “The management has concluded that the previously reported material uncertainty on the group’s ability to continue as a going concern no longer exists,” Bharti Airtel said in a release.