BlackBerry reports first quarter-on-quarter revenue rise in two years

BlackBerry has reported its first quarter-on-quarter increase in revenues for more than two years, with a 12% rise of $548m (£364m) for the three months to November.

The struggling smartphone maker's revenue was 31% lower than for the same period last year, but losses narrowed to $89m (£59.6m) compared with a $148m (£99m) deficit a year ago.

Chief executive John Chen said he was pleased with the Canadian company's continued progress. "We delivered accelerating growth in enterprise software and higher revenue," he said, adding that the company's new PRIV smartphone device had "been well received."

Revenue from software more than doubled to $162m (£108m) compared with the same quarter last year. Revenue for the first three quarters reached about $362m (£242m), putting the company on track for the $500m (£335m) forecast for the full financial year to February.

The company sold 700,000 devices in the third quarter, down 100,000 from the previous quarter, but average selling prices rose from $240 (£160) to $315 (£211).