Sonatel said first-half profit fell 20 percent as it paid more tax and faced increased competition. Net income for the France Telecom unit declined to XAF 75.4 billion from 94.5 billion a year earlier, Bloomberg reports from a local bourse statement. Revenue increased 5.7 percent to XAF 312 billion. The carrier's share is up in Guinea and Guinea Bissau and down in the key markets of Senegal and Mali due to competitive pressure, Sonatel said. Tax charges rose to XAF 34 billion, from 19 billion a year earlier as its exempt status in Mali ended. Mobile subscribers rose 31 percent to 12.8 million while landline users increased 7 percent to 288,479. France Telecom controls 42 percent of the company, with the Senegalese government, shareholders and employees holding the remainder. President Abdoulaye Wade said he wants to increase Senegal's stake in the carrier, le Soleil reported.
