Mobile network operator China Unicom blamed seasonal factors for its weakened profits in the first quarter of the year, the South China Morning Post reported. Profits rose 1.6% year-on-year to US$288 million, which was roughly in line with market expectations. However, it is thought a weaker than expected performance by Unicom’s mobile business may prompt analysts to revise down their full-year forecasts. GSM revenues rose 6.6% to US$2.32 billion in the first quarter while average revenue per user per month was US$6.33, down from US$6.57 for the same period of last year. The company’s CDMA operations, which are likely to be sold to China Telecom, rose 1.9% to US$968.4 million. Average revenue per user per month was US$7.61, down from US$8.30 the previous year. One analyst said this slowdown could wipe US$128.6 million off China Unicom’s full-year profits.
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