Net profit climbed 40% from a year earlier, while underlying earnings would have increased 21%, the company said on Thursday.

“Our regional associates Airtel and AIS were standout performers, delivering solid contributions to the Group,” Yuen Kuan Moon, group CEO, said in a statement.

“Optus saw sustained business momentum while it invested to improve operational resilience, NCS achieved record bookings on the back of strong AI demand and Digital InfraCo achieved new milestones through its Nxera data centre arm.”

Following the results, the company said its annual dividend reached a record S$0.185.

Operating revenue remained steady at S$14.26 billion, while Ebitda and operating company Ebit increased 2% and 9%, respectively, supported by strong contributions from NCS Pte Ltd, Digital InfraCo and Singtel Optus Pty Ltd, according to the statement.

Singtel also said it is open to working with potential Australian partners for Optus. “The Group is open to working with potential Australian partners that align with its objectives of ensuring that Optus continues to be a strong alternative operator in the industry, providing a reliable and trusted critical service to all Australians,” it said in a separate statement.

It plans to invest an additional S$1.2 billion, mainly in data centres, equipment, and fit-outs for its GPU-as-a-Service facilities and AI capabilities.

The conflict in the Middle East could heighten foreign exchange risks arising from volatility in regional currencies across its markets, which may in turn weigh on translated earnings, it added.