(Telecompaper) Tele2 reported a sharp fall in profit for the first quarter, hurt by its activities in Kazakhstan. Net profit fell to SEK 339 million from SEK 517 million a year ago, mainly due to a writedown of SEK 326 million on the goodwill for the Kazakh activities for the weak economic climate and currency devaluation there. Tele2 said it completed its joint venture with Kazakhtelecom in the quarter and integration has started. Customer and revenue growth is improving, and profits should hopefully follow, thanks to synergies from the joint venture and the withdrawal of unprofitable price plans, the company said. EBITDA was also lower, at SEK 1.226 billion versus SEK 1.428 billion a year ago, and the margin fell to 19 percent from 22. Tele2 blamed the decline on costs associated with its commercial ramp-up in the Netherlands following the 4G network launch, Sweden mobile marketing investments and the continued decline in its fixed operations. The company noted that since the launch in the Netherlands, it now offers 4G across its footprint.