mmO2 announces preliminary results

The figures announced by mmO2 were in line with expectations showing an increase in the active customer base by 12.2% to €17.5m.

Total revenue grew by 11.5% to €6,927m with losses before tax of €1,414 m.

In 2001 mmO2 made losses of €5,563m. SMS usage in Ireland grew by 14% to 58 messages per customer/month.

For O2 Ireland (formerly Digifone) the total revenue for the full year grew by 28% to €640m. The EBITDA increased to €198m from €109m the year before.

18,000 net new customers were added during the fourth quarter and O2 Ireland now has a customer base of 1.18m.

In March, O2 Ireland applied for both the 'A' and 'B' 3G mobile phone licences that were put out to tender in December.

The results of the tender process are due to be announced in June 2002. If O2 Ireland's application is successful, roll-out of the 3G service could begin in the first half of 2004.