South African mobile operator, Vodacom, has indicated that 47.1% of active users in its Tanzanian arm are now using the mobile money payments solution, M-Pesa.
This was revealed in the company's interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2012, which showed that positive performance was mainly driven by its international operations.
Vodacom’s international results show service revenue was up 36.5%, and earnings before interest, tax, and depreciation (EBITDA) increased by 92.3%.
The company’s South African operations also showed positive gains lifting its profit margin, with the EBITDA margin increasing by 2% to 37.9%.
Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group chief executive officer said, “This was a great set of results with improvements in the traditional voice business and strong performances in the data and international segments lifting overall revenue growth.”
He added, “The international operations performed extremely well with strong commercial propositions and the benefits of scale resulting in significantly higher margins.”
Vodacom is currently engaged in a bitter voice price war with rival, Cell C, as both telcos have slashed their international voice tariffs.
Cell C, first came out with an initial offer of 99c per minute for international calls to its customers and Vodacom followed with the announcement that it was launching its 89c per minute rate for international calls to 52 countries for both contract and prepaid customers.
The promotion is to run from 21 October to 31 December 2012.
Subsequently, Cell C hit back days later by unveiling South Africa’s “lowest international call rate” of 85c per minute for calls to 50 countries. This promotion is to last from 28 October to 31 January.
Vodacom's group voice revenue was up 7.3% to R17.6 billion.
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