PLDT's Q4 2024 Earnings Call: Contradictory Insights on Data Centers, Mobile Growth, and Strategic Decisions

These are the key contradictions discussed in PLDT's latest 2024Q4 earnings call, specifically including: Data Center Initiatives and Monetization Strategies, Mobile Competition and ARPU Trends, Tower Sale and Leaseback Strategy, and Mobile Revenue Growth:



Strong Financial Performance:
- PLDT Inc. reported service revenue grew 2% year-on-year to PHP 194.7 billion, driven by Fiber Mobile data and Enterprise ICT.
- EBITDA expanded by 4% to PHP 108.5 billion, supported by revenue expansion and operating efficiency.
- The growth was attributed to consistent demand across key business segments and effective cost management.

Mobile Data and ARPU Increase:
- Mobile data accounted for 89% of Individual segment revenues, with a 7% increase in the fourth quarter.
- Blended ARPU moved up 9%, reflecting higher monetization and customer engagement strategies.
- The improvement was driven by leveraging 5G expansion and enhanced network and AI-driven marketing strategies.

Fiber Leadership and Expansion:
- PLDT Home's fiber-only revenues grew 6% to PHP 56 billion, accounting for 92% of segment revenues.
- The churn rate was maintained at a low 1.7%, reflecting strong customer loyalty.
- Growth was supported by strategic fiber deployments and differentiation through bundled plans.

Enterprise ICT and Data Center Initiatives:
- Enterprise revenues grew 3% to PHP 48.4 billion, with ICT services expanding 15% to PHP 35 billion.
- Vitro Santa Rosa, the first AI-ready data center, was energized, securing anchor tenants.
- Expansion in managed IT services, cloud solutions, and data center colocation was driven by demand for data-driven and digital services.