(Telecompaper) Japanese communications provider Softbank posted a net income of JPY 426.7 billion for the first half ended 30 September, a decrease of 22 percent year-on-year. The company recorded an impairment charge of JPY 33.2 billion in the period to write down the value of its stake in Trikomsel, an Indonesian company undergoing debt restructuring. Softbank's net sales amounted to JPY 4.42 trillion in H1, up 10 percent from JPY 4.02 billion a year earlier, and EBITDA increased 22 percent to JPY 1.32 trillion. Revenue growth was helped by the weaker yen versus the US dollar, as well as underlying growth at the Japanese activities. Free cash flow jumped to JPY 180 billion from JPY 68 billion a year ago, helped by a slowdown in capital expenditure.