SINGAPORE (AFP) - Singapore mobile communications provider MobileOne Ltd (M1) has reported a 2.1 percent decline in third-quarter net profit compared with a year earlier, as revenue weakened.

Quarterly net profit totalled 42.9 million Singapore dollars (27.21 million US) against 43.8 million dollars a year earlier, the firm said Wednesday.

Revenue totalled 189.2 million dollars, down 4.1 percent compared with the same period last year, M1 said.

"Mobile voice revenue remains under pressure in a mature market but there is good potential for growth in data usage and we will continue to drive that," said Neil Montefiore, M1's chief executive officer.

The company said it is on schedule to implement High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for its 3G network by year end, which will offer downlink speeds of up to 3.6Mbps, or nine to 10 times current speeds.

Based on the current outlook, M1 estimates its after-tax profit for the full year 2006 to be similar to 2005.