Interim Results - Part 2

Vodafone Group Plc 16 November 2004 Vodafone Group Interim Results For the six months ended 30 September 2004 PART 2 MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS - REGIONAL REVIEW In October 2004, the Group announced changes to the regional structure of its operations, effective from 1 January 2005. The following results are presented in accordance with the current regional structure. Proforma segmental results for the new structure are provided on page 42. The preliminary results announcement and Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2005 will reflect the new regional structure. UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND Financial highlights Six months to 30 September -------------------- 2004 2003 % change £m £m Turnover United Kingdom(1) 2,563 2,167 18 Ireland 406 383 6 Less: intra-segment turnover (9) (7) ------- ------- 2,960 2,543 16 ------ ------- Total Group operating United Kingdom 491 549 (11) profit(2) Ireland 146 136 7 ------ ------- 637 685 (7) ------ ------- United Kingdom -------------- Trading results Voice services 1,879 1,718 9 Non-voice services 404 302 34 ------ ------- Total service revenue 2,283 2,020 13 Other revenue(1) 94 19 Other direct costs (189) (112) 69 Interconnect costs (410) (380) 8 Net acquisition costs(1) (186) (117) 59 Net retention costs(1) (198) (147) 35 Payroll (201) (198) 2 Other operating expenses (339) (299) 13 Depreciation and amortisation(2) (363) (237) 53 ------ ------- Total Group operating profit(2) 491 549 (11) ------ ------- EBITDA margin 33.3% 36.3% KPIs Closing Customers ('000) 14,600 13,483 8 Average monthly ARPU £26.6 £25.1 6 (1) Turnover for UK includes revenue of £186 million (2003: £128 million) which has been excluded from other revenue and deducted from acquisition and retention costs in the trading results (2) Before goodwill amortisation See page 37 for definition of terms United Kingdom The United Kingdom market continued to be one of the most competitive in which Vodafone operates in Europe. Nevertheless, Vodafone has been successful in attracting high value customers through differentiated products, service quality and network performance. Turnover increased by 18% to £2,563 million, comprising underlying growth of 7% and the effect of the acquisition of a number of service providers in the prior year, including Singlepoint (4U) Limited, which contributed growth of 11%. Growth in voice revenue resulted from an increase of 7% in the average number of customers for the six months ended 30 September 2004 compared to the prior period and the impact of service provider acquisitions. Non-voice revenue improved to 17.7% of service revenue for the six months ended 30 September 2004 compared to 15.0% for the prior period as usage levels of messaging and other non-voice offerings, including Vodafone live!, Vodafone Mobile Connect datacards and BlackBerry from Vodafone devices, increased. The number of Vodafone live! customers grew to 2,403,000 at 30 September 2004. Average monthly ARPU increased compared to the prior period, driven by growth in contract ARPU. The increase was primarily due to rising non-voice revenue and the impact of service provider acquisitions in the prior year. Registered customers increased by 4% over the six month period to 14,600,000, compared to 1% in the six month period to 30 September 2003, demonstrating Vodafone UK's increased focus on acquisition and retention activities and the success of new tariffs and services for the corporate and business segments. The contract customer base was maintained at 40% of total registered customers. In September 2004, Vodafone UK, along with the other mobile network operators, excluding the third generation operator, reduced its termination charges by approximately 30% following the publication by OFCOM, the national regulator, in June 2004 of its 'Statement on Wholesale Mobile Voice Call Termination'. The current regulation extends to 31 March 2006 and no further reduction in termination rates is anticipated during this period. During the period an agreement was reached to provide wholesale services to BT and at the end of September 2004, 5,000 BT customers were connected to the Vodafone network under this agreement. The UK EBITDA margin fell by 3.0 percentage points to 33.3% compared to the six months to 30 September 2003. This is a result of increased investment in acquisition and retention activity, leading to higher levels of customer additions and equipment upgrades, and also the impact of the service provider acquisitions, which included lower margin non-Vodafone customers. These effects are partially offset by reduced payroll costs as a percentage of turnover following the restructuring programme announced in the second half of the previous financial year. The EBITDA margin in the current period has improved by 1.9 percentage points from the second half of the previous financial year. Vodafone UK has launched and is executing a structured plan to drive revenue and margin growth. The key elements of this plan are to sustainably differentiate and segment the customer base allowing more effective targeted marketing, a drive to lower costs and to position the organisation for the future. Under the drive to lower costs, Vodafone UK is continuing to consolidate and simplify its network and customer service operations. Support costs are also expected to be reduced. The full benefits from this programme are expected to be realised over a number of years. Other revenue and other direct costs have both increased as a result of non-Vodafone customers acquired as part of service provider acquisitions in the prior year. Operating profit before goodwill amortisation was impacted by the factors above and by an increase in both depreciation and licence amortisation charges, primarily due to the commencement of 3G services towards the end of the previous financial year. Ireland Vodafone Ireland's turnover increased by 11% when measured in local currency, benefiting from an increasing customer base and strong growth in voice usage. Non-voice revenue as a percentage of service revenue was 20.0% for the six months ended 30 September 2004. Average monthly ARPU grew from €49.2 for the six months ended 30 September 2003 to €51.4 for the six months ended 30 September 2004, predominantly a result of growth in voice revenue as Ireland continued to have the highest level of outgoing voice usage per customer in the Group's controlled mobile businesses. Operating profit before goodwill amortisation increased by 13% in local currency, principally driven by the increased turnover combined with improvements in operating efficiency. Vodafone Ireland successfully maintained its market leadership with an approximate market share of 54% for the quarter ended 30 June 2004 and a closing customer base at 30 September 2004 of 1,890,000. NORTHERN EUROPE Financial highlights Six months to 30 September -------------------- 2004 2003 % change £m £m £ € Turnover Germany(1) 2,808 2,773 1 6 Other Northern Europe 993 988 1 Less: intra-segment turnover (23) (18) ------ ------ 3,778 3,743 1 ------ ------ Total Group operating Germany 876 911 (4) 1 profit(2) Other Northern Europe 771 778 (1) ------ ------ 1,647 1,689 (2) ------ ------ Germany ------- Trading results Voice services 2,185 2,163 1 6 Non-voice services 451 438 3 8 ------ ------ Total service revenue 2,636 2,601 1 6 Other revenue(1) 69 63 10 16 Other direct costs (158) (162) (2) 1 Interconnect costs (377) (383) (2) 3 Net acquisition costs(1) (166) (166) - 5 Net retention costs(1) (157) (157) - 5 Payroll (198) (193) 3 7 Other operating expenses (331) (339) (2) 2 Depreciation and amortisation(2) (442) (353) 25 31 ------ ------ Total Group operating profit(2) 876 911 (4) 1 ------ ------ EBITDA margin 46.9% 45.6% KPIs Closing Customers ('000) 26,092 23,780 10 Average monthly ARPU €25.7 €26.6 (3) (1) Turnover for Germany includes revenue of £103 million (2003: £109 million) which has been excluded from other revenue and deducted from acquisition and retention costs in the trading results (2) Before goodwill amortisation See page 37 for definition of terms Germany Vodafone is well positioned in the German mobile market. Its customer base represented 38% of the market as of 30 June 2004, and, together with the incumbent operator which has a slightly higher market share, is significantly ahead of the other two operators. Profitability, in local currency, has improved and Vodafone Germany's EBITDA margin represents the highest in the market. The average customer base for the period increased by 9%, compared to the six months to 30 September 2003, driving the 6% growth in service revenue in local currency. Customer growth has been a result of the success of competitively priced offerings such as partner cards, which offer a second SIM card without a handset to contract customers at a low monthly cost to the customer. For prepaid customers, connection fees have been reduced. Vodafone Germany benefits from lower than average subsidies on both of these plans, although partner cards have had a dilutive effect on contract ARPU. Contract bundles, first introduced in March 2004 and aimed at acquiring higher value customers, have been successful in reducing this dilutive effect. Prepaid ARPU has also reduced following a rise in the number of lower spending customers and a fall in activity level. Non-voice revenue increased by 8% compared to the six months ended 30 September 2003, as a marginal decline in messaging revenue and usage was offset by an 83% increase in revenue from the Group's other data offerings, primarily Vodafone live! in the consumer segment and Vodafone Mobile Connect datacards in the business segment. Non-voice revenue represented 17.1% of service revenue for the period compared to 16.8% for the six months ended 30 September 2003. Vodafone Germany became the first operator in the country to offer 3G services in May 2004. The number of Vodafone live! customers increased to 3,570,000 customers at 30 September 2004. Control over costs has improved EBITDA margin by 1.3 percentage points over the comparable period to 46.9%. A higher proportion of prepaid additions and lower contract subsidies, as discussed above, led to net acquisition costs increasing 5% in local currency in spite of a 10% increase in gross customer additions. Lower loyalty scheme costs had a similar effect on net retention costs, which increased 5% in local currency on a 10% increase in gross upgrades. Other costs remained relatively stable compared to the six months ended 30 September 2003. The commencement of depreciation and amortisation on the 3G network and licence, following launch of services in the second half of the previous financial year, impacted operating profit before goodwill amortisation, with the licence amortisation representing the largest share of this increase. Vodafone Germany has agreed to reduce its mobile call termination rate with Deutsche Telekom for incoming calls from Deutsche Telekom fixed lines by 23% over two years, from 14.3 eurocents per minute to 13.2 eurocents in December 2004 and to 11.0 eurocents in December 2005, subject to regulatory approval. Other Northern Europe Proportionate customers for the Group's other operations in the Northern Europe region increased by 6% in the six month period to 30 September 2004. Turnover increased marginally in spite of the strengthening of Sterling against local currencies. Vodafone Netherlands and Vodafone Sweden reported stable turnover when measured in local currency despite competitive pressures on pricing and imposed termination rate reductions. Vodafone Hungary continued to grow strongly, increasing turnover by 38% in local currency, as a result of an ARPU uplift and an enlarged customer base. Operating profit before goodwill amortisation decreased, principally as a result of a decline in the profitability of Vodafone Sweden, due to significantly higher operating expenses and depreciation charges, following the continuing cost of developing the 3G network which was launched in July 2004, and increased acquisition and retention costs as competition intensified. In the Netherlands, operating profit before goodwill amortisation increased as a result of a release of a provision, following a successful appeal reducing a fine imposed by the Dutch Competition Authority on mobile operators for a breach of the Dutch Competition Act. The effect of this release was partially offset by a rise in customer acquisition costs. SFR reported strong revenue growth as a result of a 7% increase in the average customer base over the prior period and improved usage of voice and non-voice services, including Vodafone live! which had 1.4 million SFR customers at 30 September 2004. The Group's share of the operating profit before goodwill amortisation of SFR increased following this revenue growth and an improved operating margin. On 24 September 2004, the Group entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 7.2% shareholding in Vodafone Hungary from Antenna Hungaria Rt. The sale is due to be completed on or before 31 December 2004, subject to certain conditions. SOUTHERN EUROPE Financial highlights Six months to 30 September -------------------- 2004 2003 % change £m £m £ € Turnover Italy(1) 2,723 2,634 3 8 Spain 1,554 1,330 17 22 Other Southern Europe 1,087 955 14 Less: intra-segment turnover (21) (16) ------ ------ 5,343 4,903 9 ------ ------ Total Group operating Italy 1,127 1,113 1 6 profit(2) Spain 397 384 3 8 Other Southern Europe 283 232 22 ------ ------ 1,807 1,729 5 ------ ------ Italy ----- Trading results Voice services 2,239 2,213 1 6 Non-voice services 369 312 18 24 ------ ------ Total service revenue 2,608 2,525 3 8 Other revenue (1) 7 7 - 11 Other direct costs (146) (143) 2 8 Interconnect costs (464) (442) 5 10 Net acquisition costs(1) (38) (32) 19 24 Net retention costs(1) (41) (33) 24 29 Payroll (161) (152) 6 11 Other operating expenses (310) (301) 3 8 Depreciation and amortisation(2) (328) (316) 4 8 ------ ------ Total Group operating profit(2) 1,127 1,113 1 6 ------ ------ EBITDA margin 53.4% 54.3% KPIs Closing customers ('000) 21,686 19,982 9 Average monthly ARPU €30.3 €30.5 (1) (1) Turnover for Italy includes revenue of £108 million (2003: £102 million) which has been excluded from other revenue and deducted from acquisition and retention costs in the trading results (2) Before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items See page 37 for definition of terms Italy Vodafone's strategy in Italy is focused on gaining high value customers. Market share, in terms of revenue, was approximately 39% for the quarter ended 31 March 2004 compared to a customer market share of approximately 36% at 31 March 2004, demonstrating the Group's commitment to service such customers. Market penetration levels, including the effect of customers having a SIM from more than one mobile operator, are over 100%, but excluding this effect, penetration was lower. The increasing customer base continued to be the main driver of service revenue growth, with average customers for the period 9% higher than the comparative period. Activity levels among the base, however, declined to 92% at 30 September 2004 from 94% at 30 September 2003, due to competition, resulting in a slightly reduced average monthly ARPU. Revenue growth over the summer was impacted by extended promotions providing reductions in airtime charges, which have been successful in stimulating higher usage. Improved messaging revenue represents the main proportion of the increase in non-voice revenue. A 114% increase in revenue from the Group's data offerings, including Vodafone live! and Vodafone Mobile Connect datacards, also contributed. By 30 September 2004, Vodafone Italy had 1,643,000 Vodafone live! customers. The EBITDA margin fell slightly due to higher interconnect costs as a result of increased international roaming, and increased investments in acquisition and retention activities arising from competitive pressures, though these effects have been partially offset by ongoing operational efficiencies. Operating profit, before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items, was impacted by the same factors. Financial highlights Six months to 30 September -------------------- 2004 2003 % change £m £m £ € Spain ----- Trading results Voice services 1,246 1,100 13 18 Non-voice services 180 131 37 44 ------ ------ Total service revenue 1,426 1,231 16 21 Other revenue(1) 1 1 - (16) Other direct costs (117) (91) 29 35 Interconnect costs (266) (240) 11 16 Net acquisition costs(1) (115) (62) 85 94 Net retention costs(1) (75) (65) 15 21 Payroll (66) (71) (7) (3) Other operating expenses (224) (190) 18 23 Depreciation and amortisation(2) (167) (129) 29 36 ------ ------ Total Group operating profit(2) 397 384 3 8 ------ ------ EBITDA margin 36.3% 38.6% KPIs Closing Customers ('000) 10,452 9,399 11 Average monthly ARPU €35.4 €31.8 11 (1) Turnover for Spain includes revenue of £127 million (2003: £98 million) which has been excluded from other revenue and deducted from acquisition and retention costs in the trading results (2) Before goodwill amortisation See page 37 for definition of terms Spain Vodafone Spain delivered strong growth during the period, benefiting from changes to refocus the business on customer segmentation, improved customer satisfaction and attractive product offerings. These measures have stimulated usage and new customer acquisitions within a very dynamic market. In local currency, turnover increased by 22% principally following the 21% increase in service revenue, due to growth in the average customer base over the prior period and higher usage per customer. Growth in the customer base of 8% over the six months ended 30 September 2004 has been due to a successful acquisition strategy focusing on both new customers and those transferring numbers from other networks, with the proportion of contract customers improving to 45% at 30 September 2004, compared to 43% at 31 March 2004 and 30 September 2003. Non-voice revenue increased by 44% and represented 12.6% of service revenue for the six months ended 30 September 2004. The rise in non-voice revenue is principally driven by messaging but also by an increase in non-messaging data revenue from service offerings such as Vodafone live! and Vodafone Mobile Connect datacard. Average monthly ARPU increased by 11%, benefiting from the increased percentage of contract customers and higher usage by contract and prepaid customers resulting from usage stimulation initiatives and promotions. The strong growth in the customer base has resulted in increased acquisition costs and has contributed to the decrease in the EBITDA margin by 2.3 percentage points to 36.3%. Operating profit before goodwill amortisation was impacted by the factors above in addition to both increased depreciation and licence amortisation charges, primarily due to the commencement of 3G services in the second half of the previous financial year. On 1 November 2004, Vodafone Spain's termination rates were reduced by 10.5%, following guidance from the national regulator. Other Southern Europe Proportionate customers for the Group's other operations in the Southern Europe region increased by 6% in the six month period to 30 September 2004. Turnover increased by 14%, driven by strong service revenue growth, as a result of higher usage of both voice and non-voice products in all other Group subsidiaries in Southern Europe. In Greece, service revenue increased by 18% in local currency, boosted by strong voice usage growth, a 26% increase in data revenue and a 16% increase in visitor revenue benefiting from the Olympics hosted by Athens in August 2004. Service revenue in Vodafone Portugal increased by 15% in local currency driven by a larger customer base, growth in visitor revenue benefiting from the UEFA Euro 2004 football tournament and increased blended ARPU, partially offset by lower termination rates. EBITDA margins also improved in these operations, following increased turnover, improved acquisition costs and controlled operating expenses, partially offset by higher interconnect costs and increased retention costs from a higher level of equipment upgrades. Operating profit before goodwill amortisation increased, although depreciation charges were higher primarily as a result of investment in 3G networks. The Group's associated undertaking Mobifon obtained a 3G licence in Romania in October 2004 for $35 million (£19 million). AMERICAS Financial highlights Six months to 30 September -------------------- 2004 2003 % change £m £m £ $ Total Group operating profit/ Verizon Wireless 885 712 24 40 (loss)(1) Other Americas - (7) - ------ ------ ------ 885 705 26 ------ ------ ------ Proportionate Verizon Wireless 3,433 3,102 11 24 turnover Other Americas - 31 - ------ ------ ------ 3,433 3,133 10 ------ ------ ------ Proportionate EBITDA margin Verizon Wireless 39.3% 35.7% Verizon Wireless ---------------- KPIs Closing customers ('000) 42,118 36,026 17 Average monthly ARPU $53.2 $50.6 5 Acquisition and retention costs as a percentage of service revenue 12.3% 13.7% (1) Before goodwill amortisation See page 37 for definition of terms Verizon Wireless In a highly competitive US market, Verizon Wireless continued to outperform its competitors and ranked first in customer net additions for the six months ended 30 September 2004. The total customer base increased by 8% over the period to 42,118,000. At 30 June 2004, US market penetration had reached approximately 58%, with Verizon Wireless' market share at approximately 24%. In local currency, proportionate turnover increased by 24% over the prior period driven by the larger customer base and increasing ARPU primarily due to customers migrating to higher access price plans and growth in non-voice service revenue. Non-voice services, such as picture messaging and 'Get It Now', contributed to a 169% increase in non-voice service revenue over the prior period. Churn rates continued to improve and are amongst the lowest in the market despite the expansion of local number portability from the 100 largest metropolitan service areas to a nationwide basis on 24 May 2004. The low churn rate is attributable in part to the quality and coverage of Verizon Wireless' network and the success of retention programmes such as the 'Worry Free Guarantee', which includes the 'New Every Two' plan. The proportionate EBITDA margin increased by 3.6 percentage points to 39.3%, which reflects increased cost efficiencies. Verizon Wireless has achieved sustained cost containment through the reduction of interconnect and leased line rates as well as other operating expenses efficiencies. In local currency, the Group's share of Verizon Wireless' operating profit before goodwill amortisation increased by 40%. Verizon Wireless is expanding its BroadbandAccess service nationally. Powered by its Evolution-Data Optimized wide-area network, the service is currently available in more than 14 major metropolitan areas and 24 airports with the expansion on target to cover one third of Verizon Wireless' network by the end of 2004. Additionally, Verizon Wireless continued to acquire spectrum, which enables network capacity expansion to meet customers' growing demand for services. Agreements reached include the purchase of spectrum in New York City, Arkansas, 62 markets in Western and Midwestern states and, in November 2004, all of NextWave's PCS spectrum licences, which cover 23 markets across the country. Other Americas The Group disposed of its stake in the Mexican mobile operator Grupo Iusacell during the previous financial year. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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