Vodafone Qatar posts smaller loss, says post-paid contracts and MNP are on the way

Vodafone Qatar has posted a smaller fourth quarter loss year-on-year on the back of higher revenue and subscribers. The cellco booked a net loss of QAR126.6 million (USD34.5 million) for the three months ending 31 March 2012, compared to a loss of QAR143.9 million for the corresponding period last year. The loss for the full year stood at QAR486 million versus QAR600.7 million one year ago. Full-year revenue came in at QAR1.2 billion, up 28.3% year-on-year, thanks in part to an 11% growth in its subscriber base to 837,233. The operator told analysts that it expects to launch post-paid contracts within the coming weeks, and that it anticipates mobile number portability (MNP) in Qatar to be launched on 17 November, after signing an agreement with rival operator Qtel.