Telenor narrowed its outlook for 2015 off the back of the failed merger in Denmark, stating that it is “reviewing our strategic options” for this market.

According to a Reuters report, Sigve Brekke, group president and CEO (pictured), said at a news conference that “Telenor does not have to be in Denmark. It is not a strategic market for us.”

The company reported a net loss attributable to shareholders of NOK1.77 billion against a profit of NOK2.59 billion a year earlier. Net income was stated as NOK 3.6 billion “adjusted for VimpelCom impairment”.

“On 5 October, we announced our intention to divest all our shares in VimpelCom. This triggered an impairment with effect of NOK 5.4 billion to the income statement in the third quarter,” it explained.

Q3 revenue was NOK31.8 billion ($3.7 billion), a 15 per cent increase year-on-year. Organic revenue growth was 4 per cent.

“The guidance for the full year is organic revenue growth of around 5 per cent and an EBITDA margin of 34-35 per cent. The adjusted outlook is primarily a consequence of the inclusion of the Danish operation,” it said in a statement.

It previously mooted organic revenue growth in the 5 per cent to 7 per cent range, with EBIDTA margin of 34-34 per cent.

Operating profit in the difficult Danish business decreased by NOK256 million, resulting in a loss of NOK233 million. “The decline is primarily explained by one-time effects, including the costs related to the joint venture project, together with NOK153 million scrapping of fixed assets,” it said.

Mobile subscriptions were up by 5.2 million in the quarter, bringing the total to 196 million, compared with 179 million at this time last year.

“We witness strong growth in data consumption across our markets. Going forward, it is of utmost importance that we monetise this growth in order to secure healthy returns on our significant investments,’’ Brekke noted.

He also said the operator plans to to stay in India for the long term. Earlier this month it appointed Sharad Mehrotra, then CMO of Telenor Myanmar, as its new India CEO.