LONDON: British mobile phone company O2 Plc. has added 1.75 million new customers in the third quarter to reach a customer base of 27.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent, the company said in a statement. The company, once part of the BT Group Plc., is all set to be acquired by Spanish telecom operator Telefonica for 17.7 billion pounds.
All the businesses of the company are performing well as the completion of the acquisition is approaching, said chief executive Peter Erskine. "And we look forward to maintaining momentum as part of Telefonica," he added.
The company said it added 895,000 customers in Britain, 823,000 in Germany and 32,000 in Ireland. Analysts had predicted an increase of 1.28 million to 1.31 million customers during the quarter.
The company revealed that the annual average revenue per user had gone down to 272 pounds in Britain and to 338 euros (232 pounds) in Germany. Quarterly net service revenue rose by 12 per cent year-on-year in Britain and 17 per cent in Germany.
Telefonica, meanwhile, issued a statement saying its offer has brought acceptances from shareholders owning 68 per cent of the company. The company already owns 8.5 per cent of O2.
The company's shares grew by 0.5 penny to 199.75 pence.
Posted
on : Mon, 23 Jan 2006 13:55 GMT | Business News
By : Anne Philips
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