Telecom company Vodafone lost 2.9 percent of its customers in Romania in the second quarter of this year, reaching 8.9 million customers at the end of June. This was due to the continuous disconnection of the inactive prepaid SIMs from its customer base, according to the company

The company's service revenue increased by 4.1 percent, as compared to previous quarter but dropped by 6.3 percent, year on year. Vodafone's mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) was EUR 6.8 for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, corresponding to a 11.6 percent growth as compared to the previous quarter, while posting a 2 percent decrease year on year.

“One of the main factors which contributed to this good evolution was the continuous increase of mobile data services. This was supported by offers which made smartphones and mobile internet more accessible to our users,” said Iñaki Berroeta, CEO, Vodafone Romania (in picture).

At June 30, 2011, contract subscribers accounted for 38 percent, while prepaid for 62 percent of Vodafone Romania’s total customer base.

Vodafone made a profit of EUR 305.6 million in the 2010/2011 financial year that ended on March 31, the company had previously announced. This EBITDA was 22.8 percent lower than the one posted during the previous financial year.

The average revenue per user (ARPU) was EUR 6.5 for the financial year ended on March 31 and EUR 6.1 for the first quarter of 2011.

editor@romania-insider.com