Mobile phone firm's profits top €2.2m

Profits at mobile phone data services provider, Zamano, topped €2.2 million in its first year as a listed company. The Irish-based company yesterday reported that 2006 turnover grew 38 per cent to €13.36 million from €9.7 million the year before.

Earnings before interest, tax and write-offs increased by 53 per cent to €2.5 million from €1.6 million over the same period. The ratio of earnings to revenue increased to 18.7 per cent in 2006 from 16.8 per cent the previous year.

The company said 2006 pretax profits were up 71 per cent at €2.24 million from €1.3 million. Basic earnings per share (EPS) were 3.8 cent, up 46 per cent on 2005, when they hit 2.6 cent.

Zamano floated on Dublin's IEX and London's Alternative Investment Market (Aim) last October, raising €4.9 million after costs.

Zamano sells services like video and SMS chat to mobile phone operators and networks that want to provide data to their customers.

It also sells text-based and personalisation services to consumers.

The company operates two business units, one for consumers and one for businesses. Its clients include the four main players in the Irish mobile market, Vodafone, O2, Meteor and 3. It has operations in Ireland, Britain and Australia.

Zamano plans to add bill paying to its services this year, a move it says will promote greater convergence between mobile, fixed-line and internet services.

The company said 2007 has started well, with business performing in line with expectations.