Vodafone reports strong customer growth

Vodafone today reported stronger-than-expected growth in customer numbers and “encouraging” progress in its Vodafone Live! service.

Vodafone said it had increased customer numbers worldwide to 122.7 million, slightly higher than analysts expected, in the quarter to June 30.

The company added its Vodafone Live! picture messaging service amassed 1.75 million customers by the end of June.

Chief Executive Chris Gent, who is stepping down after 17 years building the company into the world’s leading mobile phone operation, said the group was “well on track” to achieve more than 10% growth in average proportionate customers and similar growth in revenues.

“These figures demonstrate continued strong operational performance and are in line with, or slightly better than, our expectations when we provided our outlook for the financial year,” he said.

In May, Vodafone said underlying profits, stripping out accounting charges, rose 36% to £8.43bn (€11.89bn) while turnover lifted 33% to £30.37bn (€42.84bn) in the year to March 31.

But the group remained in the red overall after taking a £14bn (€19.75bn) charge to cover goodwill on acquisitions.

Vodafone owns or has shares in operations in 28 countries.