(Telecompaper) Millicom reported first-quarter revenues up 4.9 percent from a year earlier to USD 1.25 billion. On a like-for-like basis excluding currency effects, revenues rose 8.3 percent. The mobile operator attributed the growth to more customers using mobile data, with 780,000 new users in Q1, as well as expansion in mobile money services, where transactions passed USD 500 million for the first time. In markets where the mobile money service is available since at least a quarter, it now has 12.6 percent of customers using the financial services. The total customer base rose by 175,430 in the three months, with 236,994 subscribers added in Central America and 44,206 in South America, and 105,770 customers lost in Africa. Mobile ARPU dropped to USD 7.9 from 8.3 in Q4, hurt by regulatory effects, the company said. Millicom's EBITDA was down 4.4 percent from a year earlier to USD 494 million, and the margin fell to 39.7 percent from 44.2, due to losses at its Online division and increased spending to market data and financial services. Net profit, excluding one-time items fell to USD 143 million from USD 175 million. Capex increased to USD 193 million from USD 172 million a year ago. For the full year, Millicom targets an EBITDA margin over 40 percent, excluding Online. The Online division is expected to generate revenue over USD 100 million and EBITDA losses of USD 125-200 million. Capex will peak at around 20 percent of revenue, excluding spectrum acquisitions, driven by continued investments in 3G capacity and coverage and roll-outs in Africa.