(Telecompaper) The Belgian mobile operators generated service revenues of EUR 3.5 billion in 2012, according to the latest quarterly report from Telecompaper on the Belgian mobile market. Revenues were down 2.3 percent from 2011, less than the 3.0 percent drop the previous year. Similar to neighbouring countries, the drop in Belgian revenues was due to a sharp fall in voice revenue, hurt by regulatory price cuts. Tougher competition and the difficult economic situation also played a role. Non-voice (SMS and data) accounted for 38 percent of service revenues, up from 33 percent in 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012, revenues were down 3.0 percent year-on-year and 0.3 percent lower versus Q3 to EUR 0.88 billion. Base was the only operator to show growth in annual sales, with service revenues up 2.7 percent in 2012. Revenues at Proximus fell by 6.5 percent, and Mobistar's sales were down 1.9 percent. The number of active Sims in Belgium fell 4.3 percent last year to 12.9 million, due largely to Base disconnecting a number of inactive prepaid lines. The postpaid segment showed growth. Overall, mobile penetration fell from 122 percent at the end of 2011 to 116 percent end-2012. For 2013, Telecompaper expects a further drop in sales, of 2-3 percent to around EUR 3.4 billion.