(Telecompaper) Belgacom reported first-quarter sales down 0.1 percent to EUR 1.586 billion. Excluding the impact of regulatory measures, which took an estimated 1.5 percent off revenues, group sales were up 1.4 percent from a year earlier, mainly due to growth in international wholesale services (BICS) and a one-time gain on real estate. Mobile revenues in the business and consumer segments remained under pressure, which was only partially compensated by growth in TV and ICT services. The operator's EBITDA fell by 6.1 percent year-on-year to EUR 441 million; excluding regulation, the decline was 2.9 percent, hurt by pressure on gross margins and higher personnel costs. This was offset in part by better control of non-personnel costs. Capex totaled EUR 193 million in the first three months of the year. This went to investments in higher speeds on the mobile and fixed networks and programmes to rationalise IT and network ifnrastructure. Free cash flow of EUR 89 million was dampened by higher taxes and investment and working capital costs.