(Telecompaper) Vodacom Group reported a 2.3 percent increase in its revenue for the six months to September to ZAR 37.54 billion. Sales were buoyed by equipment revenue, which contributed 17.1 percent of group revenue compared to 16.7 percent a year ago. Active customers grew by 13.3 percent year-on-year to 61 million at 30 September. Headline EPS declined 5.5 percent to ZAR 4.15, mainly the result of termination rate cuts in South Africa, as well as increased depreciation as a result of accelerated capital investments. EBITDA declined 1.7 percent to ZAR 12.99 billion, and the EBITDA margin contracted 1.4 percent points to 34.6 percent. Capital expenditure rose 21.3 percent from a year ago to ZAR 5.88 billion. The company said it expects conditions to remain challenging in the short-term, particularly in South Africa where the continued impact of lower mobile termination rates, constrained consumer spend, and intense competitive pressure are all factors. In the international markets, particularly Tanzania and the DRC, continued pricing pressure is also likely to have an impact. However, Vodacom said positive trends in the adoption of smart devices and data usage will help to offset this, as will the ongoing focus on reducing operating expenditure.