HONG KONG, Mar 7 (AP) -- Mobile phone operator Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. on Monday reported a net profit of 72 million Hong Kong dollars (US$9.2 million; €7.0 million) for 2004.

The figure compared to a net loss of HK$214 million the previous year.

Hutchison Telecom's sale of HK$1.3 billion (US$167 million; €126 million) in shares of fiber-optic network operator Hutchison Global Communications Holdings led to the profit. Excluding the one-time gain, the company would have recorded a net loss of HK$1.23 billion (US$157 million; €120 million).

The telecom company, controlled by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, earned revenues of HK$14.96 billion (US$1.92 billion; €1.45 billion) in 2004, up from HK$10.10 billion a year earlier.

India accounted for 47 percent of total revenues, while Hong Kong mobile operations brought in 25 percent. Hong Kong fixed-line business contributed 18 percent.

Hutchison Telecom said the number of its cell phone customers in India grew 47 percent in 2004 to 7.16 million.

Meanwhile, it said it has abandoned a bid for rival companies Aircel Ltd. and Aircel Cellular Ltd. after failing to obtain Indian government approval for the deal.

"We may consider acquiring other companies or look into applying for unified licenses," Hutchison Telecom Chief Executive Dennis Lui said at a press conference.

Hutchison Telecom has mobile phone operations in Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Israel, Macau, Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Paraguay, as well as third-generation and fixed-line businesses in Hong Kong. Third-generation cell phones offer features such as high-speed Internet access, high-quality video and music services.