The Vodafone group today reported a full-year pre-tax loss of almost £15 billion (€22 billion) as impairment charges of £23.5 billion hit results.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation from continuing operations were £11.7 billion.
The British-based company boosted its total dividend for the year to 6.07 pence, up 49 per cent on a year earlier and well above the top forecast of 5.5p.
Vodafone today unveiled plans to return an extra £3 billion to shareholders.
The telecoms firm also announced plans to cut 400 jobs in its corporate office. Vodafone has 1,800 staff in Ireland. A Vodafone spokeswoman said this morning the job cuts would not affect Irish operations.
Vodafone is under pressure as growth slows amid intense competition in its main European markets and as rivals embrace new technologies that link mobile and fixed-line devices.