Sure, the leading communications provider in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, exceeded expectations in 2013 in terms of both revenue and customer growth, according to its parent company, Batelco Group.
In its financial results for 2013, Batelco said that increased roaming and improved handset sales had ensured that Sure’s revenues were 3% above forecast in the final quarter.
Furthermore, revenues on a ‘like for like’ basis saw 3% overall growth in mobile services, 11% growth on broadband & TV Services and 57% growth on wholesale revenues.
The purchase of Sure and other companies has been welcomed as a great success by Batelco, with the report stating that ‘Batelco Group is very pleased with its purchase and as anticipated, the acquisition has had a very positive impact on the Group’s performance.’
This impact has seen the group achieve 18% year-on-year growth and an increase in its subscriber base to nine million.
The report also confirmed that Batelco continues to invest in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man and this year, and is looking forward to introducing 4G mobile services.
‘Among our plans in 2014 is the roll out of superfast 4G LTE for four of our new operations, Dhiraagu and Sure in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man,’ said Batelco Chairman Shaikh Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
‘This is in line with our strategy to extend our expertise across our entire Group to deliver greater benefits for our customers wherever they may live.’
Eddie Saints, Chief Executive of Sure in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man has been pleased with the smooth transition to becoming part of Batelco Group.
‘2013 was a momentous year for Sure as we became part of Batelco Group. These financial results show that Sure continues to excel and deliver services that our customers enjoy and value highly. We are committed to leading the way for telecommunications services in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man and the introduction of 4G/LTE later this year will see our customers enjoying some of the fastest mobile broadband speeds available.
‘I am grateful to my colleagues for working so hard to continually exceed our customers’ expectations and for ensuring that the transition to new ownership has been both smooth and very successful.’
Sure’s results are in line with Balteco Group’s overall performance, which saw profits increase to BD43.6 million ($115.6 million) and the subscriber base grow by 18% to reach 9 million customers in 14 territories.