KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd has projected a guided capital expenditure (capex) of RM1.5bil in 2017 to expand its network.
Chief financial officer Jennifer Wong said as of the first quarter of this year, Celcom has spent close to RM167mil and would ramp this up progressively in the third quarter onwards.
The leading data network provider, which had braced for a challenging quarter, said an accelerated digitisation programme would play a key role to deliver an amazing customer experience.
Speaking at a media briefing on Celcom's first quarter performance, Wong said the company embarked on cost transformation in Q4 of FY16.
"This will be viewed in two functional perspectives, namely tactical and structural.
"Cost optimisation will be driven by three strategic themes - simplification, digitisatiin and collaboration," said Wong, adding the programme was in its second phase.
Among the efforts under cost transformation was the rationalision of its vendors, resulting in the company having two vendors now from three previously.
Although this was rather costly, Wong said it provided better quality.
Celcom's data revenue surged 29.8% year-on-year to RM661mil on a total revenue of RM1.609bil.
It posted a service revenue of RM1.475bil in the first quarter.
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