Interim profits at the newly privatised Dutch posts and telecommunications operator Koninklijke PTT Nederland NV, equivalent to $589.6m, exceeded analysts’ predictions of $544m to $575m, as turnover in telecommunications climbed 9.4% to $3,568m, aided by higher traffic volumes, new connections the increase in domestic tariffs in April. Even international traffic turnover returned to growth, despite some tariff reductions. The company also says it saw growth in the mobile sector and sales of accessories. PTT Nederland also attributes the improvement to lower absenteeism, higher efficiency and a staff cutting programme that has so far reduced numbers by 2,000 to 73,000, and will continue.
