Financial Performance - Total revenue for 2024 was HKD 4,782 million, a decrease of 2% compared to HKD 4,896 million in 2023[6] - Net customer service revenue increased by 1% to HKD 3,561 million from HKD 3,531 million[6] - Roaming service revenue surged by 30% to HKD 684 million, up from HKD 526 million[6] - EBITDA for 2024 reached HKD 1,522 million, reflecting a 4% increase from HKD 1,457 million in 2023[6] - Shareholders' profit improved to HKD 6 million, a significant turnaround from a loss of HKD 52 million in the previous year, marking a 112% increase[6] - Earnings per share rose to HKD 0.12, compared to a loss of HKD 1.08 in 2023, representing a 112% improvement[6] - The total revenue decreased by HKD 114 million or 2% to HKD 4.782 billion, primarily due to a 4% decline in local service revenue[36] - EBITDA increased by HKD 65 million or 4% to HKD 1.522 billion, attributed to effective cost-saving measures that reduced operating expenses by 5%[37] - The net interest income for 2024 was recorded at HKD 98 million, compared to HKD 101 million in 2023[37] - The group expects to achieve breakeven in 2024, primarily due to strategic deployments and increased interest income[33] Customer Growth and Services - The number of customers grew by 17% year-on-year to approximately 4.6 million, driven by strong growth in the prepaid customer segment[37] - The prepaid business has seen strong growth in user numbers and revenue, supported by the development of SoSIM services and partnerships with more retail stores[55] - The 5G penetration rate increased by 8 percentage points to 54% compared to 2023, reflecting the company's strong promotion of 5G services[37] - The group launched upgraded roaming services and innovative 5G data plans, allowing customers to share data usage in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Macau without extra charges, with plans to expand to Japan by October 2024[50] - The "Roaming All Network" service has been expanded to popular travel destinations in Europe and the Middle East, enabling customers to connect to local networks without changing SIM cards[51] Strategic Initiatives and Investments - The group is committed to expanding its 5G applications and enhancing customer experience while focusing on energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions[16] - The group aims to enhance network quality and expand coverage to support Hong Kong's development as a smart city[16] - The group plans to launch the 3.5 GHz "golden frequency" in multiple key locations in Hong Kong in 2024, enhancing 5G network capacity and coverage[38] - The group successfully implemented a 5G "Smart Butler" robot solution for Hong Kong Electric, enhancing service efficiency and safety in cable tunnels[57] - The group is collaborating with local arts organizations to create Hong Kong's first 5.5G theater, providing an immersive theater experience for audiences[59] - The group is supporting local sports technology development by providing dedicated 5G services for the first international paddle tennis tournament in Hong Kong[59] - The group introduced AI-driven learning robots in local schools to assist students and provide personalized support for those with special educational needs[60] Corporate Governance and Management - The company has a diverse board with extensive experience in telecommunications and finance, including members with over 40 years of management experience[105][106][107][108][109] - The board consists of 10 members, including a non-executive chairman, two vice-chairmen (one executive and one non-executive), an executive director and CEO, two non-executive directors, and four independent non-executive directors[180] - The independent non-executive directors represent one-third of the board, complying with listing rules for the year 2024[180] - The board held four meetings in 2024, achieving a 100% attendance rate from all members[187] - The chairman promotes an open culture and encourages full participation from all directors in board matters[183] - The CEO is responsible for managing the group's business and ensuring the implementation of group policies, reporting directly to the board[184] - The board regularly receives updates on the group's performance and business activities from senior management[185] - The board has adopted good corporate governance practices and procedures to maintain effective communication with shareholders and stakeholders[183] Risk Management and Compliance - The group is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which are outlined in the risk factors section of the report[135] - The group’s treasury department manages financial risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risks, to minimize the impact on overall financial conditions[75] - The group faces significant credit risk from counterparties, which is monitored through stock price changes and credit ratings[78] - The group has not engaged in any foreign currency hedging as it primarily operates in Hong Kong dollars[77] - The group anticipates needing to invest more capital expenditures to expand and improve its mobile network and acquire additional spectrum licenses[91] - The group faces significant adverse impacts on financial condition and operational performance due to regional business risks and regulatory changes[92] - The group cannot guarantee successful renewal of licenses necessary for telecommunications services, which may affect financial performance[94] - The group is subject to data protection laws, which may increase potential risks related to data collection and usage, potentially impacting financial performance if compliance is not met[103] Sustainability and Community Engagement - The company has received multiple awards for its ESG initiatives, highlighting its commitment to sustainable development[20][24] - A new sustainability strategy has been introduced, aiming for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025[110] - Charitable donations to community projects amounted to approximately HKD 12.5 million in the year, an increase from HKD 8.3 million in 2023[136] - The group is committed to addressing climate change and promoting diversity, inclusion, and community investment as part of its sustainable development initiatives[178] Shareholder Information - The company reported a total of 6,011,438 shares held, representing approximately 0.15% of the voting shares[119] - As of December 31, 2024, the company has a total of 3,184,982,840 shares held by major shareholders, representing approximately 66.09% of total shares[156] - Li Ka-Shing holds a total of 404,132,779 shares, which accounts for approximately 8.38% of the company's shares[157] - The Li Ka-Shing Foundation holds 350,527,953 shares, representing about 7.27% of the total shares[167] - The company has no outstanding borrowings, including bonds, as of December 31, 2024[164] Future Outlook - The company has set a future outlook with a revenue guidance of $6 billion for the next fiscal year, indicating a 20% growth target[110] - New product launches are expected to contribute an additional $300 million in revenue over the next year[110] - The company is investing $200 million in research and development for new technologies aimed at enhancing user experience[110] - Market expansion plans include entering three new countries by the end of the fiscal year, projected to increase market share by 10%[110] - The company is considering strategic acquisitions to bolster its market position, with a budget of $500 million allocated for potential deals[110]
和记电讯香港(00215) - 2024 - 年度财报