TOT Plc says it will return to operating profit in 2016 after suffering a loss for the first time last year due to the expiry of its mobile concession.
Thanks to the planned partnership deal with mobile leader Advanced Info Service (AIS), the state telecom expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) to reach 4 billion last year.
But TOT may record a net loss of 10 billion baht this year because of large depreciation deductions for telecom infrastructure assets, said acting president Monchai Noosong.
"The loss is expected to narrow to 3 billion baht in 2017, helped by the mobile business," he said.
TOT reported 32 billion baht in consolidated revenue last year. Of the total, 45% came from broadband internet service, 30% from fixed-line telephone, 1.2% from mobile business and the rest from wireless data communication and other items.