BARCELONA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom's operating profit dropped 13 percent in the fourth quarter as itexperienced head-winds in its German mobile market and the restof Europe.
Fourth-quarter earnings before interest, tax, depreciationand amortisation (EBITDA), excluding special items, came in at4.03 billion euros, missing an average forecast of 4.19 billioneuros ($5.49 billion) in a Reuters poll.
Germany's second largest mobile player after Vodafone Germany, said it still expected EBITDA, excludingspecial items, to grow to around 18.4 billion euros in 2013.
This includes earnings streams from MetroPCS, whichDeutsche Telekom wants to buy and merge with its strugglingT-Mobile USA unit. Excluding MetroPCS 2013 earnings, adjustedEBITDA is seen falling to 17.4 billion euros.
Vodafone (VOD)
