The report

Eesti Telekom (Estonia), telecoms group, reports pre-tax profit for 1st-qtr 2003 which rose to Euro20 mil, vs Euro16 mil for the year-earlier period, although net profit fell to Euro2 mil from Euro16 mil. The fall in net profit was due to high tax on dividends paid to the parent company by subsidiaries. Turnover for the period rose by 5% to Euro71 mil, while EBITDA rose by 7% to Euro35 mil. Turnover was boosted by demand for data communications services, especially ADSL services. The company expects to obtain a licence to offer 3G mobile phone services later in 2003.