 Vodafone is looking to tap into emerging markets |
UK phone giant Vodafone saw its customer base grow more than expected in the last quarter of 2006, thanks to expansion in emerging markets. The firm, Europe's largest phone group, saw a rise of 8.7 million customers during the period from October to December, making a total 198.6 million.
Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East saw customer growth exceed European core markets.
The firm also said it was on track to meet its annual revenue forecasts.
Indian interest
Vodafone, which is the largest mobile operator outside China, forecasts that its annual mobile revenue growth will be between 5% and 6.5%, in line with expectations.
 |  The board remains committed to only pursuing transactions that create value for shareholders |
News of the growth comes as Vodafone is keen to expand abroad to compensate for a slowing European market.
Vodafone has expressed an interest in India's Hutchison Essar, the country's fourth largest mobile operator, but has not revealed a formal offer.
"The board remains committed to only pursuing transactions that create value for shareholders and that meet the group's stated financial investment criteria," it said in a statement.
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