HELSINKI-Finnish telecommunications operator Sonera posted profits before taxes and extraordinary items of $238.9 million (EUR224 million), a 19-percent increase over the same period in 1998. Its earnings per share were 25 cents, up from 20 cents per share for the first half of last year.
In the second quarter, ended June 30, Sonera’s profit before taxes and extraordinary items was $124.8 million, up 16 percent from $107.8 million for the second quarter of 1998.
Sonera said profits were boosted by increased equity income in associate companies, primarily Turkish wireless operator Turkcell.
Sonera’s head of investor relations, Jari Jaakkola, told Reuters Turkcell is one of the fastest growing operators in the world. The carrier reportedly has about 4 million subscribers, compared with 2.3 million at the end of 1998.
