Vodafone India revenue increased 13.8 percent to £1.09 billion ($1.66 billion) in Q1 2013 from £963 million in the same quarter last fiscal.
The growth drivers include stable pricing environment, improved process of customer verification and strong data revenue growth.
Vodafone did not share its mobile data revenue for India this time as it changed its accounting norms.
Data usage — both 2G and 3G — of Vodafone India increased 29 percent compared to Q4 as a result of an increased number of data customers and increased usage per customer, particularly amongst 3G customers.
Its growth strategy for improving 3G subscriber base across India has assisted the telecom giant. At 30 June 2013 active data customers totaled 41.2 million, including approximately 3.7 million 3G subscribers. ( Vodafone India betting big on 3G data for future growth )
Vodafone India was the first telecom operator to kick off new 3G pricing in the country. In April, Vodafone priced 500MB data schemes at Rs 25 for 2G and Rs 49 for 3G. Available for both postpaid and prepaid mobile customer across the country, the One Time Trial Pack is available with a validity of 7 days and has a limit of 500MB.
Vodafone India’s mobile customers increased 2.7 million during the first quarter.
Vodafone Group’s data usage grew 60 percent, driven by increasing take-up of smartphones.
The telecom operator says 37 percent of its European customers are now using smartphones against 29 percent a year ago.
In emerging markets, smartphone penetration increased.
Smartphone penetration of Vodafone India customers now stands at 9.2 percent.
Among emerging market, Vodafone’s Turkey operation has smartphone penetration of 25.4 percent.
