MTN Irancell grows data users to 15.5 mln
MTN Irancell's revenue increased by 13.9 percent in local currency in the first half of 2015 compared to the prior year, supported by promotions and the adoption of 3G services. Data revenue increased by 84.7 percent and now contributes 26.7 percent of total revenue. This was mainly driven by an increase in the adoption of 3G devices, which grew 59.4 percent to 21.4 million.
Data users increased 22.3 percent to 15.5 million at the end of June. The mobile operator grew its total subscriber base 0.5 percent to 44.1 million subscribers. The slower growth in net additions was largely due to a delay in obtaining a new number range and regulatory requirements on registration, MTN said.
The EBITDA margin declined by 0.4 percent to 40.1 percent in H1, mainly as a result of costs associated with the roll-out of 3G and LTE as well as an increase in 2G regulatory fees.