Rocom slides into red

By PETER GRIFFIN

Communications company Rocom Wireless slid backwards in the first half of the year, posting a loss of $578,000 on a much decreased revenue base.

Rocom had sales of $2 million for the six-month period, a 44 per cent reduction on the previous corresponding period, when it posted a profit of $534,000.

But Rocom's management said it was pleased with revenue levels after its withdrawal from the mobile phone business.

Rocom put the loss down to continued "right-sizing", following last year's restructuring.

Rocom's World Billing Services division has formed a partnership with European software company Derdack, a specialist in mobile messaging and data software.

Mobile computing sales over the six months rose by more than half. Rocom shares closed down 9 per cent at 21c.