(Telecompaper) German operator United Internet reported a drop in first-half earnings, to EUR 0.84 per share from EUR 0.91 a year earlier, hurt by a writedown of EUR 34 million on its stake in cable operator Tele Columbus. Revenues and EBITDA were slightly higher, as customer growth offset increased promotions in the mobile market, but the company lowered its full-year growth outlook, due to weaker hardware sales and costs for rolling out its mobile network and price cuts. United Internet said it's also preparing an IPO for its hosting business Ionos and negotiating a new wholesale deal for its telecom business.