Vodafone reports better-than-expected 2.2 per cent growth in first quarter

London: Vodafone, the world's second largest mobile operator, reported better-than-expected 2.2 per cent revenue growth in its first quarter, reflecting a robust performance in Italy and Spain and an acceleration in demand in Turkey.

The company said the rise in organic service revenue, which was ahead of market forecasts of 1.4 to 1.9 per cent, gave it confidence in its outlook for the full year, when it expects to grow core earnings by 4-8 per cent.