MAM
Matrix offers Indian cricket visitors huge Caribbean cellular bonanza
NEW DELHI: Matrix Cellular (International) Services has announced dirt cheap cellular package for visitors from India going to the West Indies to watch the World Cup, and estimates to earn a revenue of Rs 10 crore over the duration of the series, Gagan Dugal, MD, Matrix revealed to indiantelevision.com today.
This will be possible using Matrix’s pre-configured post-paid SIM cards designed for the occasion only.
The company is looking at high-spending tourists, expecting between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 revenue per user over the period, and Dugal says that virtually everyone who is going there have bought his cards, specifically, the TV companies as newspaper reporters.
“Even a large number of Indian players and team management have bought our cards,” Dugal claimed, adding that another two entire teams are using their cards, though he would not reveal names of the countries.
They have tied up with Jamaica-based Cable and Wireless, and have acquired 2,000 lines from them to start with. “But we shall keep acquiring more lines once the first 2,000 are sold out,” Dugal said, adding that he expected a Rs 150 crore turnover between now and the end of the tourney.
The company provides local connectivity solution to users, who thus do not pay international roaming charges, which are prohibitive.
“You can purchase the preconfigured post-paid cards to the Islands and there, you are on local network, so there is no incoming charges,” Dugal explained.
The incoming rates for Matrix World Cup card users in Jaimaica would be nil, and for any of the other islands it would be US $0.55 and international roaming for other islands would be $0.70.
Any caller from India would pay the applicable ISD charges for the duration of the conversation, but since there is no international roaming in Jamaica and minimal charges for the other islands, this is a very affordable offer.
Dugal says that in a sense there is no comparison with his competitors’ offers, say that of Hutch, because whatever concessions they give, their users would still have to pay international roaming charges.
Also, Dugal explained, users on other networks calling a Matrix number the islands would have to pay the ISD charges, but irrespective of which network a calls from to a Matrix number, it will be free for Jamaica and 55 cents in other islands.
Though the cards have been pre-configured for the duration of the series, the users would get some extension, till they arrive back to India. “Many may want to extend the holiday for a week or so, and accordingly they would get the extension, at no extra cost.
“Let us put it this way, we are like a boutique operation and most celebrities and high spending users take our cards, so we charge nothing for the extension of the service during the stay, say if someone wants to visit Bahamas for a few days before finally returning to India,” Dugal said.
He clarified, of course, that it would not be possible if someone wants an extension of a month or more.
These SIM cards allow up to 50 per cent savings vis-?-vis using Indian Global Roaming and are more convenient than using pre-paid or calling cards, Dugal said.
Matrix is a leading player in the country’s telecom industry giving connectivity solutions, and offers such services in tie-up with networks in 34 countries, including the Us, UK, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Holland, Italy, Japan, and other countries.
In fact, the website of the company claims that as a service provider to individual travellers, Matrix would even advice some other SIM card if that would be more beneficial to the particular user.
Matrix has an alliance relationship with SOTC, Jet Airways, British Airways, Citibank, American Express, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered Bank amongst others to offer its services to their preferred member base and other customers.
“At Matrix we love cricket, so when our team rips apart opponents on the pitch, we expect hysteric Indian fans calling home or receiving calls on the Caribbean islands. We want them to do so at the lowest possible call rates,” he held.
He added that Matrix, special, World Cup, SIM cards is the company’s way of wishing team India good luck.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
