Smartphones lift for Everywhere

Mobile phone group Everything Everywhere yesterday reported an increase in smartphone contracts as its overall customer numbers stabilised.

The firm, which was formed last year by the merger of Orange and T-Mobile, signed up a net 185,000 contract customers in the three months to September, matching the same period a year ago.

Everything said 65 per cent of its contract customers were now using smartphones – such as Apple’s iPhone, Research in Motion’s Blackberry and Samsung’s Galaxy – up from 61 per cent the previous quarter. However, revenues fell by 4.3 per cent to £1.69 billion as the increase in more profitable contract customers was offset by 227,000 fewer pay-as-you-go users.

New chief executive Olaf Swantee, who in August replaced Tom Alexander, the person who oversaw the merger, said the company was performing in line with expectations.

He denied reports that he had called the Everything Everywhere name “silly” and said the company was “absolutely committed” to the brand.

The Dutchman said that while mobile data use has not been affected by the weaker economy in the UK, it was clear customers were hunting for best-value deals on contracts.