LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - A steady recovery in Europe helpedVodafone to stem the rate of sales decline in its thirdquarter, putting the world's second biggest mobile operator intouching distance of overall revenue growth once again.
The British company said on Thursday its main organicservice revenue measurement, which strips out items like handsetsales and currency movements, fell 0.4 percent in the threemonths to the end of December, an improvement on the 1.5 percentfall in the second quarter and a forecast of a drop of 0.7percent.
The group had recorded falls in the main revenue measurementof between 4 and 5 percent in the last six quarters as consumersin Europe cut back on using their phones and regulatory changesforced operators to cut their fees.
It reiterated its guidance for the full year. (Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Neil Maidment)
Vodafone (VOD)