Telecommunications company PLDT Inc. saw its profit decline in the first nine months of 2025, as higher expenses and financing costs offset small gains in revenue from data and broadband services.
PLDT said its consolidated service revenues went up 1% to ₱145.9 billion, while total or gross service revenues increased 3% to ₱158.9 billion. Data and broadband made up most of the business, contributing ₱123.6 billion, or about 85% of total revenues.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) grew 3% to ₱82.8 billion, keeping the profit margin steady at 52 %. PLDT said it managed to control expenses by spending less on other areas of the business.
“In a year of market pressures and economic slowdown, we’ve managed to stand firm,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chair and CEO of PLDT. “The challenge now is to stand taller; to deliver growth that reflects not only effort, but excellence.”
Telco core income, which measures profit from its main operations, fell 5% to ₱25.3 billion due to higher depreciation and interest payments. Overall core income, including earnings from fintech unit Maya Innovations Holdings, was ₱25.8 billion. Reported income, which includes one-time items, dropped to ₱25.1 billion from ₱28.2 billion last year.
Maya, PLDT’s digital banking arm, posted a net income of ₱532 million in the third quarter. The platform now serves about nine million customers and 2.4 million borrowers, with deposits growing 59 % year on year to ₱57 billion. Total loans released since launch have reached ₱287 billion.
The company’s growth continues to come mainly from data, broadband, and enterprise digital services, which help offset the decline in traditional voice and text revenue. PLDT is also investing in fixed wireless and ICT (information and communications technology) services as part of its long-term shift toward digital businesses.
Spending for network and technology projects fell to ₱43 billion from ₱52.3 billion a year ago, as PLDT tightened its capital expenses and secured better deals with suppliers. The company said this improved efficiency helped bring down its capital spending ratio to 27% from 33%. PLDT also reported positive free cash flow as of September, earlier than its 2026 target.
PLDT said it plans to lower its debt further while focusing on its growing data and digital services. Despite smaller profits, the company said its steady revenues show it is managing to adapt to a more competitive and changing telecom market.