TalkTalk reports surge in profits one year after cyberattack

British telecoms firm TalkTalk has reported a surge in interim profits, 12 months after a serious cyberattack cost the company millions.

Operating profit came in at £60m ($75m) for the six months ended 30 September, more than double the £25m profit reported in the same period a year ago.

In a statement, TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding said the company's decision to focus on existing customers and implement a number of operational improvements had paid off.

In October last year, hackers targeted TalkTalk's website and accessed the personal details of more than 157,000 customers.

The company lost more than 100,000 subscribers in the immediate aftermath of the cyberattack and lost an estimated £42m as a result.

"We have delivered an excellent uplift in first-half profits and expect to deliver materially higher full-year profits than last year," Harding said.

"One year on from the cyber attack, we have maintained a relentless focus on looking after our existing customers and keeping up the pace across a wide range of operational improvements to make TalkTalk simpler and better for customers.

"As a result we have seen significant year-on-year improvements in churn and customer satisfaction."

TalkTalk's revenue decreased 1% to £902m in the six months to 30 September period.

The firm said it expected full-year results to be in line with market expectations.