Vodafone reports better revenue growth amid strong demand and price increases

Growth in service revenue in Britain, where Vodafone announced the merger of its operation with Hutchison's rival network Three last month, accelerated to 5.7%, boosted by strong growth in consumer and annual price increases.

The decline in Germany, Vodafone's biggest market, more than halved quarter on quarter to 1.3%, as broadband price rises partially offset the impact of customer losses over the last 18 months, the company said.

Vodafone reported an acceleration in first-quarter top line growth, driven by strong demand in Britain and improvements in Germany, Italy and Spain, marking a positive start for new chief executive Margherita Della Valle.

The European and African telecoms group also said it had appointed former SAP chief financial officer Luka Mucic to the same role at Vodafone, beginning on September 1.