Hutchison-owned mobile operator 3 UK is aiming to double its subscribers to around 6.8 million by 2012, the company’s chief executive told the Financial Times this morning. “Over the next three to four years I would like to more than double the net revenue in the business, and double the customer base,” CEO Kevin Russell said in an interview. According to the latest figures from Hutchison, 3 UK had 3.4 million active customers at the end of last year, and the business generated £1.6 billion of revenue in 2007, up 5 percent on 2006.

However, the report notes that the operator is still loss-making, reporting a pre-tax loss of £840.7 million in 2006, the last year for which accounts are available. It notes that profitability at the operator has been affected by the termination rates it pays other operators to connect its calls. Russell is expected to give evidence on Friday to the UK’s Competition Commission, which is holding an inquiry into termination rates. 3 UK is believed to favour the abolition of termination rates, or their reduction to minimal levels, the report says.