Fortum Oyj has signed Global Framework Agreements with Telefónica, S.A. and Telenor ASA to bring direct carrier billing services to 460 million additional subscribers worldwide. Using the BlueVia Payments API to charge purchases to their mobile operator bill, users in more than 30 countries will now be able to purchase digital goods over the web and on Android, Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices. Mobile operator billing is win for everyone. It makes it much simpler and convenient for consumers to buy digital goods which in turn helps content owners monetize their content. Developers usually don't want to do a different billing integration for each mobile operator or store. Fortumo's technology enables them to do one integration and gain billing access to the subscriber base of many mobile operators in 80 countries. With Fortumo's platform, mobile payments are available to all mobile phone users and payments are charged directly to their operator bill. Using mobile payments has enabled some app and online developers to increase their conversion and emerging market revenues by more than 10 times. Mobile operator billing is especially important in emerging markets of Asia and Latin America, where credit card penetration is low. For example, Brazil, one of Telefónica's key markets, has 260 million mobile users, but only 60 million credit cards. The difference in ownership is even bigger in Bangladesh, one of the markets in which Telenor operates - from the 160 million inhabitants, roughly 1% have credit cards, while mobile phone penetration is 68%. Together with Telefonica's and Telenor's agreement, Fortumo's payment platform now reaches users in more than 80 countries. Fortumo's mobile payments platform, including direct billing connectivity to Telefonica and Telenor is available to all developers looking to accept global mobile payments and provide their customers with a seamless and secure payment experience.

Fortum Oyj announced consolidated unaudited earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported sales of EUR 1,991 million against EUR 1,901 million a year ago. Operating profit was EUR 603 million against EUR 739 million a year ago. Profit before income tax was EUR 559 million against EUR 655 million a year ago. Profit for the period was EUR 452 million against EUR 536 million a year ago. Profit attributable to owners of the parent was EUR 401 million against EUR 497 million a year ago. Earnings per basic and diluted share were EUR 0.45 against EUR 0.56 a year ago. Net cash from operating activities was EUR 646 million against EUR 553 million a year ago. Capital expenditures were EUR 287 million against EUR 272 million a year ago. Net debt end of the period was EUR 7,443 million. EBITDA was EUR 772 million against EUR 897 million a year ago. Return on shareholders equity was 17.8% against 18.2% a year ago. The cash flow improved compared to the first quarter last year, even though the stronger SEK impacted negatively. Operating profit for the period was affected by non-recurring items, an IFRS accounting treatment (IAS 39) of derivatives mainly used for hedging company's power production, and nuclear fund adjustments. The company announced that it expects capital expenditure is to be in range between from EUR 1.1 billion to 1.4 billion in 2013 and from EUR 0.9 billion to 1.1 billion in 2014.

Fortum Oyj, Q1 2013 Earnings Call, Apr 25, 2013