Deutsche Telecom flags up financial successes

NEWS Deutsche Telecom has announced optimistic preliminary figures for the first three quarters of 2001. Revenues for the group, before goodwill and costs for its E1.6bn (£995m) 3G network roll-out, have risen by approximately 20 per cent to E35bn (£21.7bn) from E29bn (£18bn) over the first nine months of 2001. Profit, excluding the same factors, sits at an estimated E1.6bn (£995m). Estimates include revenue from VoiceStream, the acquisition of which was finalised on 1 June this year, adding to the German telco's T-Mobile offering for GSM. EBITDA from its mobile communications including VoiceStream has doubled from E1.1bn (£680m) for the same period last year to E2.2bn (£1.36bn) this year. Deutsche Telecom's debt has decreased by E5.8bn (£3.6bn). Total debt a year ago sat at E55.4bn (£34bn). Final figures are to be published on 28 November.