HONGKONG Telecom has disclosed a breakdown of revenues between its Hong Kong and international businesses showing both are profitable and the return on capital by its international business is 74.7 per cent. The company has provided an outline balance sheet and profit-and-loss account for Hongkong Telephone, its subsidiary which operates the local network, and Hongkong Telecom International, the holder of its international call monopoly, which expires in 2006. The company traditionally has refused to release this data since the two units merged in the 1980s, which has led to speculation about levels of profitability and cross-subsidy between the two services. In a brochure Facts at Your Fingertips, which is to be sent to government officials, customers and any other interested people, the data is disclosed for the year ending March 31, 1994, although there are no comparative figures for 1993. Analysts also will be able to use these figures to provide estimates of profitability for Hongkong Telecom CSL, the company's third major business. The same document includes tables which demonstrate the company's claim that its prices are low by international standards. Figures show Hongkong Telephone, whose monopoly expires this year, made a profit after tax of $3.04 billion in the year to March 31, on total capital employed of $12.7 billion - a return of 23.4 per cent. The international business made a profit after tax of $3.55 billion on a turnover of $15.1 billion. Operating costs were put at $11.86 billion, which is believed to include payments to other carriers for their half of international circuits, and $495.1 million in royalties to the Hong Kong Government. Hongkong Telecom International employed capital of $4.75 billion, giving a return of 74.7 per cent. The company's data compares three-minute international calls at standard rates. This shows Canada remains the only country among 17 surveyed where it is cheaper to call to Hong Kong than to dial in the other direction using Hongkong Telecom. The data is compiled using only data from the dominant carrier in each country, rather than smaller operators which often undercut major firms. The data also shows 10 of the 17 countries charge more than Hongkong Telecom for domestic phone installation, and 14 of the 17 have higher monthly rental for domestic customers.
