Wireless whips up Wind

Italy’s largest alternative telco Wind has reversed its 2005 net loss and increased sales thanks to a positive performance at its wireless division. Revenues were up 4.6% to EUR5.05 billion, while EBITDA rose 13% to EUR1.66 billion. Net profit stood at EUR23 million following a net loss of EUR331 million the previous year. Revenues from mobile services increased 13.7%, while revenues at the fixed line and internet division fell 5.3%. Wind, which is owned by Weather Investments of Egypt, saw mobile subscriber numbers grow 7.5% last year to reach 14.7 million, while fixed line customers taking services by unbundled local loops passed one million. The number of broadband internet subscribers stood at 763,000 at the end of 2006, up by 160,000 on the end-2005 figure.