MTN service revenues in 2012 boosted by 60% rise in mobile data revenues

MTN Group has reported that its full year revenues rose by 10.9 per cent to reach ZAR135 billion (US$15 billion), driven by rising mobile data revenues which were up by nearly 60 per cent.

Revenue rose in all markets, except Nigeria where it fell by 0.8 per cent year-on-year following significant tariff declines amid heightened competition. The weakness in the average rand exchange rate during the year also supported the improvement in reported revenue.

Profits were up by two per cent, which was below market expectations.

Over the past year, subscribers increased 15.1 per cent to 189.3 million, a strong result in the face of the on-going subscriber registration requirements and network challenges in key markets. Looking ahead, the company anticipates reaching the milestone of 200 million subscribers by mid-2013.