China Mobile posts 25.5 percent rise in first-half profit

HONG KONG (AFP) - China Mobile, the nation's largest mobile phone operator, posted a 25.5 percent rise in first-half net profit boosted by a solid growth in operating revenue and subscriber numbers.

The company reported a net profit of 30.17 billion yuan (3.63 billion US), in line with analysts' forecasts of 29.36-30.75 billion yuan.

Operating revenue for the period rose 19.6 percent to 136.98 billion yuan. The total number of subscribers reached 274 million, up by 25.78 million.