MobilTel, Bulgaria's largest mobile communications operator, saw a 4.7% hike in EBIDTA in Q2 to 95.8 mln euros.

Revenues are up 4.2% to 165.6 mln euros in Q2, driven by higher monthly rental and traffic revenues, which compensated for lower visitor roaming revenues.

H1 revenues are up from 300.7 mln euros to 320 mln euros and earnings before interest taxes and depreciation stood at 188.6 mln, versus 173.3 mln euro a year ago.

The number of customers rose by 13.2% in H1 to 5.2 mln people, according to the financial report released by Telecom Austria.

M-Tel's market share stays stable at 50.5% at the end of Q2.

The mobile penetration rate in Bulgaria rose from 117.4% to 133.8%. An increase in average minutes of use charged per subscriber by 22.7% partly offset lower prices and resulted in a total ARPU of 9.9 euros in 2Q 08 compared to 10.3 eros in 2Q 07.

However, Q2 operating profit is down 5.3% y/y to 51.7 mln euros.