Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone company, today announced strong growth in customer numbers in the run-up to Christmas, helped by record UK sales and robust performances in Italy and Germany.
The company, which has agreed to buy Eircell, added 13.2 million customers worldwide, with underlying growth contributing 7.9 million and increased shareholdings adding 5.3 million.
The figures included 1.4 million in the UK and 5 million in continental Europe and took its total customer base to 78.7 million.
Vodafone shares were up 7.1% at 241p sterling after the figures, holding on to gains scored on the back of a global share surge.
