Softbank: iPhone 3G helped boost profits and subscriber growth

Things are looking good for Japan’s iPhone carrier, Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF). Ever since the Japanese wireless carrier signed on as Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s iPhone 3G carrier partner, Softbank has seen their bottom line moving onwards and upwards.

Even in the face of flagging mobile phone sales amidst a global financial downturn, strong iPhone 3G sales helped Softbank increase their fiscal Q4 2008 (that would be calendar Q3 2008) net profits to ¥21.7 billion ($225 million). Softbank saw the biggest net subscriber growth in 17 consecutive months, adding 521,400 subscribers in the July-September quarter.

While Softbank stopped short of quoting hard numbers on their sales of iPhone 3G units, the company stated that, “The iPhone certainly supported our profit and boosted the number of new mobile phone subscribers during the quarter,” adding that “Since the July launch, iPhone sales have been very good.”

And, with the holiday shopping season yet to officially kick off, Softbank will likely see even better fiscal performance from continuing iPhone 3G sales.

[Via: AP]