3 Group, the subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa that owns the 3 mobile network in the UK and Ireland, grew its annual revenue to HK$60bn (£3.8bn) in 2007, up 18 per cent on 2006.

The group also saw earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of HK$1.2bn (£76m) after deducting customer acquisition and retention costs, representing a 116 per cent increase on its HK$7.5bn (£478m) loss the previous year.

The improved figures indicate that Hutchison's 3G operations are becoming self sustaining after years of losses, and may start to repay the billions Hutchison has invested in building the mobile network.

3 had 4.3 million registered customers in the UK and Ireland in 2007, up nine per cent from 2006. The 3 Group also runs 3G networks in Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Australia and Indonesia.