Data makes the tills ring at Vodafone

Vodafone made £1bn from data in the six months to September this year, with data revenue up 48.8 per cent across the group, and 40.8 per cent in Europe alone.

The figures come from the company's six monthly financial report, which shows things are going swimmingly for the world's largest mobile phone operator.

In Europe, revenue is up two per cent, despite price cuts averaging 19 per cent, as cheaper services are driving more usage. Calls are up 24 per cent and messaging up 8.6 per cent.

Overall, the company brought in £17bn, up nine per cent on the previous six months, and the firm is predicting to hit £35bn by the end of the financial year. From that revenue it plans to extract more than £9.5bn profit, though after projected expenses of £5bn, including £1bn for expansion into India, it'll be left with about £4.5bn to put in the bank.

The figures are good, and that's reflected in a jump of 3.5 per cent in the Vodafone share price, and increased confidence in chief executive Arun Sarin. ®