TelstraClear’s half year results show an increase in revenue but this has been offset by a rise in costs.

The result, which was announced as part of Telstra’shalf-yearly report in Australia, shows income (including trans Tasman revenues)of $348 million, up $2 million on the same time period in 2008. The rise inrevenue is offset by costs of $274 million, also up $2 million. This brings earningsbefore interest and taxation to $4 million, the same as the previous period.

It is TelstraClear’s policy not to comment on half-yearlyresults however commentary provided in Telstra’s half-year report explains thatTelstraClear’s revenue in local currency has grown 0.9% in “a subdued economicenvironment.”

“The tightening in the business market has been offset byconsumer services, which achieved growth of 14.2%,” the commentary reads.

“Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortisation)increased by 1.1%, with the growth in consumer services increasing network costs,partially offset by a reduction in labour costs and other operating costs.”

It also notes that with two major projects completed –upgrading the billing platform and investment in local loop unbundling - CAPEXhas decreased by 14.9%.

Meanwhile in Australia Telstra has announced overallhalf-yearly profit of 1.853 billion, a 3.3% decrease on the same period lastyear.