Maroc Telecom 1Q Revenue +14% to MAD6.97 Billion

PARIS -(Dow Jones)- Maroc Telecom, the largest mobile operator and only fixed-line operator in Morocco, Friday said first-quarter revenue rose 14%, helped by strong revenue growth at its Moroccan mobile division.

Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 increased to MAD6.97 billion Moroccan dirhams from MAD6.11 billion a year earlier.

The Moroccan operator reported operating profit rose 9.1% to MAD3.1 billion from MAD2.84 billion "due to the combined effect of revenue growth, acquisition cost controls despite the continuing increase of customer bases, and operational cost controls," the company said in a statement.

Maroc Telecom, which also has operations in Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Gabon, is 53%-owned by entertainment and telecom company Vivendi.

Vivendi will report earnings after market close on May 14.

-By Alice Dore and Jethro Mullen, Dow Jones Newswires; 33 1 4017 1738; jethro.mullen@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Posted to the site on 9th May 2008