Vodafone Qatar H1 loss widens on start-up costs

* Hit by operational, capex costs

* EBITDA loss of 156.2 mln riyals

* Revenues 39.2 mln riyals

DUBAI, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Mobile operator Vodafone Qatar VFQS.QA said on Wednesday its half-year operating loss widened to 347.5 million riyals ($95.52 million) on increased operational start-up costs.

The Qatari unit of Vodafone (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research), said it made a bigger loss on earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the six months to September 30, compared with the same period last year, when it recorded a loss of 37.5 million riyals.

Earnings before interest, taxation, amortisation and depreciation (EBITDA) was a loss of 156.2 million riyals compared with a loss of 37.5 million riyals last year, and included the amortisation of the 7.7 billion riyal mobile licence over 20 years beginning in May 2009.

The firm, which listed on the Qatar bourse in July, said in a statement it was on track to be EBITDA-positive in the year ending March 31 2011.

"We expect to be able to pay dividends following the year ended March 31 2013, when we will be cash flow positive on a cumulative basis," the company's chief executive, Grahame Maher, said.