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Spark nz MARKET RELEASE 24 February 2021 Spark New Zealand delivers steady performance amid COVID - 19 challenges and updates dividend guidance on improved outlook Spark New Zealand ( Spark ) today announced its financial results for the six months to 31 December 2020 . Revenue¹ decreased 1.5 % to $ 1,796 million due to the loss of higher - margin mobile roaming revenue from sustained COVID - 19 border closures and higher voice revenue declines due to a non - recurring provision to refund historical wire maintenance charges . While mobile service revenue declined $ 5 million , or 1.2 % , Spark's underlying performance remains strong . When stripping out the impact of the loss of roaming , mobile service revenue increased 3.8 % from H1 FY20 . Spark continued to experience growth in cloud , security and service management revenue , which increased 4.6 % to $ 229 million . The broadband and prepaid markets were impacted as border closures resulted in approximately 44,000 fewer people migrating to New Zealand in H1 FY21 vs. H1 FY20² . Disciplined cost management saw operating expenses decrease $ 30 million , or 2.3 % , offsetting revenue declines . As a result , EBITDAI³ grew 0.4 % to $ 502 million . Net profit after tax reduced 11.4 % to $ 148 million , driven by a $ 29 million increase in depreciation and amortisation charges resulting from the shorter asset lives of new digital technologies , and an increase in depreciation related to customer and property leases . Spark announced an interim dividend per share of 12.5 cents , 100 % imputed , and will also continue to operate the Dividend Re - investment Plan with a 2 % discount . Spark Chair Justine Smyth said : " COVID - 19 has continued to challenge us as a nation , but it is encouraging to see New Zealand's economy bouncing back more quickly than expected . " With borders closed for the foreseeable future we have had to adapt at pace to the ongoing loss of mobile roaming revenues and lower growth broadband and prepaid markets . " The implications of COVID - 19 for Spark have become clearer during the first half , with the overall FY21 EBITDAI impact now expected to be $ 50 million , versus the original estimate of $ 75 million . " As a result , we have narrowed our FY21 EBITDAI guidance range to $ 1,100 million to $ 1,130 million , and the Board and I are pleased to revise full year dividend guidance to the top end of the range at 25 cents per share . ” 1 Operating revenue and other gains . 2 Source : Statistics NZ net migration . 3 Earnings before finance income and expense , income tax , depreciation , amortisation and net investment income . This is a non - GAAP financial measure . 4 Previously $ 1,090 million to $ 1,130 million . Subject to no adverse change in operating outlook . Spark New Zealand Limited ARBN 050 611 277 Spark City , 167 Victoria Street West , Private Bag 92028 , Auckland , New Zealand