SMARTONE TELE: AI applications help reduce operating costs by 6%, the peak period for 5G investment has passed

Smartone (00315.HK) announced its interim results yesterday. The Group's CEO, Liu Ruohong, stated that benefiting from the enhancement of AI applications and platform streamlining, operating costs during the period decreased by 6% year-on-year, saving nearly HKD 52 million. Regarding market competition, Liu Ruohong believes that relying solely on low prices is not a long-term strategy. The Group has maintained stable profits over the years through high-quality networks and customer experiences, and has eliminated price competition by launching exclusive services that are market-first.

In the first half of the fiscal year, the Group's capital expenditure was approximately HKD 179 million, a decrease of 2.7% year-on-year. Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer Zou Jingen stated that the peak period for 5G investment has passed, and future investments will be more targeted, such as network infrastructure in densely populated areas, event venues, and key development projects in the northern metropolitan area. It is expected that capital expenditure for this fiscal year will record a double-digit decline, and there is also room for further optimization in the future.

Additionally, as of the end of last year, the Group's net cash reached HKD 2.376 billion, an increase of 50% year-on-year. Liu Ruohong stated that the company's cash level is healthy and will be used prudently in the future, selectively making investments, with a primary focus on network construction, and will also invest in building AI platforms, among others