China Mobile, the largest mobile carrier in
China
, posted a 25.5% rise in first-half net profit boosted by a solid growth in operating revenue and subscriber numbers, an AFP report said.
The AFP report said China Mobile reported a net profit of 30.17 billion yuan ($3.63 billion), a figure in line with analysts' forecasts.
Operating revenue for the period rose 19.6% to 136.98 billion yuan ($17.6 billion), the report said.
The AFP report also said China Mobile's total number of subscribers reached 274 million, up by 25.78 million, while average revenue per user stood at 88 yuan ($11) in the first half against 90 yuan ($11.3) a year earlier.
During the six-month period, the company said subscribers grew rapidly in central and western regions and growth in rural markets, where penetration of mobile telecommunications is low, remained robust.
Looking forward, company chairman Wang Jianzhou said China Mobile will continue to focus on developing mobile telecommunications in rural areas, the AFP report said.
It will also 'actively prepare' for the launch of its third-generation mobile services, the report further said.