PARIS-European mobile operator Orange plc reported a revenue increase in the first half of the year of nearly 7 percent, to $9.86 billion, compared with the same period last year. Average revenue per user increased in the operator’s major markets, including the United Kingdom and France.
The operator’s capital expenditure costs were down 35 percent compared with the previous year to about $1.1 billion. Revenues from non-voice services also continued to increase in most markets, including France, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands, the operator said.
The operator saw strong customer growth, adding 1.3 million customers during the first half of 2003, a 10.2-percent increase from the first half of 2002. However, its U.K. operation saw a loss of 54,000 customers in the first half of the year.
Looking forward, the French company said revenues are on track to meet guidance of 5-percent growth in 2003, and the company revised down its capital expenditure in the second half of the year to $2.8 billion.
