Hutchison Whampoa's 3 Group ended June with 22.23 million customers in Europe, up 3 percent from six months earlier. Revenues for the six months to June were little changed compared to a year ago at HKD 27.99 billion, hurt by negative currency effects. EBITDA rose 4 percent to HKD 4.10 billion, and EBIT improved 51 percent to HKD 1.37 billion. In local currencies, revenues in Europe rose 6 percent, EBITDA increased 11 percent and EBIT jumped 66 percent. Hutchison said it benefited from a higher proportion of postpaid customers, with postpaid net additions growing to 932,000 in the first half, from 356,000 a year ago. Postpaid now accounts for 53.9 percent of the total customer base. ARPU at constant currency rates was at EUR 23.70 based on a 12-month trailing average, down 2 percent from the second half of 2011. Non-voice services accounted for 46 percent of the amount. The company expects profitability to improve further in the second half of the year, thanks to lower termination rates in the UK and Italy and a move away from subsidised handsets.
