Hutchison-Whampoa released its half yearly results to 30 June 2012, which includes its mobile phone subsidiaries, 3 Group Europe, which in turn runs 3 Mobile UK.

Like most mobile operators, it is seeing some key changes in usage habits by consumers. Three had positioned itself in the marketplace as a premium provider focused on smartphone data, and it appears to be paying off.

Three Group’s UK operations saw total revenue of £918 million for the half year, up 5%, with earnings (EBIT) of £26 million – a 117% increase year on year. The company also added 8.5 million UK customers in 1H 2012, a 4% increase.

"We started 2012 as the UK’s fastest growing network and we’ve seen that growth accelerate. Over the past 12-months we’ve added one million customers. Our clear focus on a network built for the internet and providing clear value is being rewarded as we build our reputation as the network of choice for smartphones," said Dave Dyson, CEO of Three UK.

Its 12-month Trailing Average Revenue per Active User (ARPU) in the UK, remains flat at £21.7 (1% change) like most other operators (and across 3 Group’s other European regions). However, its non-voice ARPU, that is data, text messages and other services has jumped by 48% to £10.40.

"Our core market of contract handset customers is growing strongly and profitably. This is the key driver of our financial performance. Our market leading network economics allow us to deliver the data experience smartphone users increasingly demand and our focus on effective direct distribution channels has created a momentum we expect to maintain," said CFO Richard Woodward.

3 UK and 3 Austria both ranked number 1 in network quality in their respective countries. The company has also benefited from lowering mobile termination rates which 3 UK says will drive further benefits through 2012.

Ofcom also announced that during the 4G mobile spectrum auctions, a fourth operator outside the big three (Everything Everywhere, O2 and Vodafone) would have access to protected, or ring-fenced, spectrum at the auction. This means, unless a new operator decides to start up in the UK, Three would be the beneficiary.

The company is also in negotiations to purchase some of Everything Everywhere’s (EE) 1800MHz spectrum – which, if purchased, would negate the above Ofcom ruling – putting the company in an interesting position.

This was part of the conditions of EE’s creation (as a joint venture between France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom). Everything Eveywhere has been attempting to launch 4G early on its own spectrum – which Three may also be interested in pursuing. Three already has a network share agreement, through its joint venture with EE, MBNL.

Three Group Europe, includes Austria, Ireland, Denmark, Italy and UK saw revenue drop 1% from HK$28.1 billion (£23.3 billion) in June 2011 to HK$27.9 billion. However Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) was up 34% from HK$909 billion to HK$1.38 billion.

"Although economic conditions in Europe deteriorated during the first half, 3 Group Europe maintained good growth momentum. All 3 Group Europe companies seek to maintain leadership in network quality of service, and in particular data service access and speeds," said Hutchison Whampoa’s chairman Li Ka-shing.

3 Group Europe’s customer base grew 8%, from 20.5 million customers this time last year to 22.2 million at June 2012. Much of this has come post paid users (contract subscribers), the company added 932,000 in the first half of 2012 – a 162% growth.