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CHORUS 22 February 2021 Steady progress towards one million fibre connections Summary • Fibre connections increased by 62,000 to 813,000 ● Net profit after tax was $ 24m ( HY20 : $ 31m ) • EBITDA $ 323m ( HY20 : $ 332m ) • Operating revenue of $ 473m ( HY20 : $ 483m ) • Interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share • Fibre uptake reached 63 % in completed UFB areas • 17 % of fibre connections on gigabit plans • • Capital expenditure guidance range increased to $ 670 million to $ 700 million FY21 EBITDA guidance unchanged , tracking towards the lower half Chorus today reported a net profit after tax ( NPAT ) of $ 24m and earnings before interest , tax , depreciation and amortisation ( EBITDA ) of $ 323m for the half year ending 31 December 2020. This was a decrease on the same six months to 31 December 2019 , largely reflecting the continued migration of customers from legacy copper services to alternative networks , particularly in non - Chorus fibre network areas . Operating revenue for the period was $ 473m ( HY20 : $ 483m ) and operating expenses were $ 150m ( HY20 : $ 151m ) . Depreciation and amortisation was $ 209m ( HY20 : $ 198m ) , delivering earnings before interest and tax ( EBIT ) of $ 114m ( HY20 : $ 134m ) . Solid growth in fibre connections and uptake Chorus CEO JB Rousselot said performance during an unusual first six months of the financial year has been solid . Fibre uptake lifted from 60 % to 63 % with 62,000 fibre connections added in the six months . While strong housing growth is fuelling increased demand for fibre installations , COVID - 19's effect on net migration into the country has softened demand on overall broadband connections . " Auckland's most recent lockdown has again emphasised the need for a reliable , congestion - free and unlimited broadband connection in the home ” , said Mr Rousselot . " With this in mind , I'm delighted that the second phase of our fibre build , UFB2 , continues to track ahead of schedule and is now taking the socio - economic benefits of fibre to many smaller communities . Some of the more remote townships that can now connect to this unmatched broadband technology include Fox Glacier , National Park and Mokau . " As in the larger centres , those upgrading to fibre in these communities can typically get fibre installed for free and comparison websites highlight the diverse range of sharp retail offers available to new fibre customers . "