The Rising Cost of Making iPhones

Source: Statista

China Telecom Accelerates

China Telecom reported a 7% year-on-year increase in operating revenue for the first six months of 2016 to 177 billion Chinese yuan (26.5 billion US dollars). That compares with growth of just 2% across 2015. China Telecom attributed the rise to rapid growth in 4G and fiber subscriptions. The telco also reported a 303% increase in Internet of Things connections, but didn't give any absolute numbers. source: China Telecom presentation

4G Revitalises China Mobile

China Mobile reported a 6.9% increase in service revenue to 325 billion Chinese yuan (49 billion US dollars) for the six months to June 30th. In 2015, service revenue fell 1.2%. The operator attributed the increase to rapid adoption of 4G. It expects to have more than 500 million 4G customers and 1.4 million 4G base stations by the end of 2016, up from 429 million and 1.32 million at the end of June. source: China Mobile presentation

Tech in the Ascendent

Source: Statista

DOCOMO Maintains New Momentum

NTT DOCOMO reported a 3% year-on-year increase in operating revenues for the quarter ending June 30th to 1.11 trillion Japanese yen (10.8 billion US dollars).  In the year ending March 31, revenues were up 3.3%. The leading Japanese operator said that revenues in its Smart Life business, which includes digital content and commerce services, rose 6% in the quarter ending June 30 to 125 billion yen (1.22 billion dollars). source: DOCOMO presentation

Amazon Sees Slight Slowdown Ahead

Amazon reported a 31% year-on-year increase in net sales to 30.4 billion US dollars in the second quarter. On an constant currency basis, sales were up 30%. In North America, sales were up 28%, while international sales rose 30% and Amazon Web Sales' revenues leapt 58%.

Amazon forecast that net sales will grow between 22% and 32% in the current quarter to between 31 billion and 33.5 billion dollars. source: Amazon statement

Google Sustains Serious Growth

Alphabet, the company formerly known as Google, reported a 25% year-on-year increase in revenues in the second quarter to 21.5 billion US dollars on a constant currency basis. That compares with 23% growth in the previous quarter. Alphabet said that aggregate paid clicks on the adverts it brokers were up 29%, but the average price per click fell 7%. source: Alphabet statement

AT&T's Core Revenues Under Pressure

AT&T reported a 6% year-on-year decline in revenues in its consumer mobility division for the second quarter, while is business solutions revenues also fell. But entertainment and international revenues rose rapidly on the back of acquisitions. Although AT&T said it continues to see rapid mobile data traffic growth, it is cutting its capital intensity. source: AT&T statements