O2 releases Q4 2007 results

Telefónica O2 Europe, the parent company of O2 in the UK, has released results for the quarter ended 31 December 2007. It says UK revenue grew by 7.8% in the fourth quarter and 18.7% for the full year; and that UK blended ARPU was up from £23.00 in Q4 2006 to £24.00 in Q4 2007. SMS messages were up 16% year-on-year across the group, with over 8 billion SMS messages sent during the quarter. The total mobile customer base is 38.26 million, 8.6% higher than 2006. The UK added 483,000 net customers in the quarter including 276,000 on contract, its highest number ever, thanks in part to the iPhone. And in other news O2 Ireland has confirmed it'll be the country's exclusive iPhone network from 14th March. The handset will be available via O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores from €399 for the 8GB model. [O2 figures press release, O2 Ireland press release]