CHISINAU (Moldova), April 23 (SeeNews) – The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of Swedish-Finnish telecoms group TeliaSonera in Moldova sank to 16 million Swedish crowns ($2.4 million/1.76 million euro) in the first quarter of the year from 39 million Swedish crowns a year ago.
The group operates wireless operator Moldcell in Moldova, a country of 3.5 million people.
"In Moldova, the EBITDA margin fell to 14.2 percent (33.3) due to high interconnect expenses driven by mobile number portability offers and a one- off charge related to classification error," the company said in its first-quarter financial report.
TeliaSonera's net sales in Moldova fell to 112 million Swedish crowns in the first three months of 2014 from 117 million crowns a year earlier.
Net sales in local currency, however, increased 4.1%, boosted by a positive development in voice and data revenues, the company said.
Moldova has three mobile operators - Moldcell, Orange and Unite.
(1 euro=9.0815 Swedish crowns)