LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Vodafone Group PLC expects mobile data usage to
continue to rise as demand for third generation services grows, and said it is
on target to generate 20 pct of group revenue from global communications, which
includes data revenue, by 2010.
Chief executive Arun Sarin told reporters on a conference call he believes
data revenue growth is a real trend and is being borne out by growing
connectivity and the rise in 3G devices which allow much faster data speeds.
"The innovation happening on the back of wireless broadband data is
enormous," Sarin said, pointing to the new Apple iPhone, Google's recently
announced mobile operating system and Vodafone's own Live mobile internet
service as indicators of this trend.
The telecoms giant saw data revenue across the group grow 48.8 pct in the
first half, of which 45.1 was organic growth.
Vodafone has had to focus on growing alternative revenue streams in Europe
as the voice market stagnates, and data is one aspect of its global
communications strategy which aims to increase the share of revenue from certain
non-voice channels to 20 pct by 2010.
Sarin said this strategy is on track, with a 2 pct point increase in revenue
contributions to 12 pct in the six months to September 30.
Alongside data, Sarin said the nascent mobile advertising market is expected
to contribute substantial revenue in the next 2-4 years, while there may also be
further small broadband acquisitions on the cards following Vodafone's buy of
Tele2's fixed broadband businesses in Italy and Spain this year.
The company has also concentrated its energies on expanding into emerging
markets to counteract slower growth in the mature European sector, and its
recent acquisitions in India and Turkey added substantially to revenue growth in
the first half.
Sarin would not be drawn on where further acquisitions would be made, beyond
reiterating that the company is looking at options in Asia, Africa and Central
and Eastern Europe.
Sarin has previously flagged Vodafone's interest in buying a bigger stake in
its 50-50 Vodacom joint venture with Telkom in South Africa, and Sarin
reiterated this today, although he wouldn't be drawn on the exact percentage
increase envisaged.
Companies operating in South Africa have to comply with Black Economic
Empowerment legislation which requires 26 pct of companies to be owned by
previously disadvantaged people.
Vodafone's partner Telkom is currently undergoing a strategic review with
its stake in Vodacom potentially coming up for sale, and, assuming the price is
right, Sarin said the company would look to increase its stake while the
remainder of the company would be listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to
comply with BEE regulations.
On the back of a strong first half, Vodafone today raised full year revenue
guidance to a range of 34.5-35.1 bln stg, up from 33.3-34.1 bln guided in May,
while adjusted operating profit is now expected between 9.5-9.9 bln stg, from
the 9.3-9.8 bln the company announced at the full year.
The company swung to a first half pretax profit of 4.56 bln stg from a loss
last time of 3.33 bln stg, primarily because of impairment charges last year.
Adjusted operating profit rose 1.6 pct to 5.2 bln stg on revenue up 9 pct to 17
bln stg.
At 10.15 am, shares in Vodafone were up 5.9 pence at 187.9.
kathy.sandler@thomson.com
ks/vlb
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