Vodafone Qatar's H1 total revenue up 53%

Vodafone Qatar on Wednesday announced an increase of 53% in its half-yearly total revenue compared to the same period last year. The company''s total revenue of QR 590 Million for the six-month period ending September 30 is 53% increase compared to the same period last year. "This is a direct result of growing its mobile customer base and has ultimately led to strong profitability at the EBITDA (profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) level," company officials said, announcing the telecom operator''s half yearly financial results today. Vodafone Qatar Chairman Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Saud Al Thani said, "Vodafone Qatar has grown its mobile customer base significantly over the year to deliver strong financial results to our shareholders, transforming EBITDA from a loss of QR 32 million in the same period last year to a profit of QR 65 million for the six-month period ended September 30." The recent appointment of CEO Richard Daly with his extensive experience in the telecommunications sector will continue to lead Vodafone Qatar from strength to strength, delivering sound financial results to our shareholders, he added. The company''s Chief Financial Officer John Tombleson said, "Achieving continued EBITDA success is very important as this is a key factor in our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders." Daly said, "I am looking forward to leading Vodafone Qatar through the next phase of its journey. Qatar has a fast growing and progressive telecommunications sector and Vodafone is committed to providing a quality experience and innovative services which meet the needs of all of our customers. "My immediate focus will be to ensure that our mobile voice and data network is of the very highest quality and that our post pay and roaming services are delivered in a way that delights our premium consumers and businesses. As we enter 2012 our fixed line network and expanded range of services will see us enter a number of new revenue generating market segments." The telecom operator''s mobile customer based was 814,000 as at September 30 which is an increase of 35% year-on-year. The mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) for the six-month period ending September 30 increased 2% year-on-year to QR 111, the officials said.