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07
Aug

Cellular Subscriptions Soar in July

July added 1.75 mln to the counter of cellular subscribers in Russia which is a record monthly growth to date. As of July 31, 2003 Russian operators served 26.88 mln users. Regional networks continue to outperform Moscow increasing the growth pace.

Top 10 Cellular Operators

Company July 31, 2003 June 30, 2003
Total Moscow Total Moscow
MTS* 12,270,000 4,290,000 11,490,000 4,135,000
Vimpelcom 7,960,000 4,650,000 7,455,000 4,435,000
MegaFon** 4,653,450 513,257 4,255,000 440,300
SMARTS Group 860,000   807,700  
Uralsvyazinform 789,329   739,060  
Siberia Telecom 324,443   298,331  
N.Novgorod Cellular 268,142   248,025  
Tomsk Cellular Communications 169,926   158,400  
Ekaterinburg Cellular Communications 155,600   143,500  
SibChallenge 135,000   128,000  

*including UMC of Ukraine (2.2 mln) and Belarus subscribers (210,000)
** including 8,100 in TT-Mobile (Tajikistan)

MTS, the prominent market leader, is approaching 10 mln milestone in Russia. The company also controls Ukrainian Mobile Communications with 2.2 mln users and has a JV in Belarus that enlisted 210,000 users by the end of July.

On August 6 Vimpelcom announced that it has reached 8 mln subscribers. Recently launched network in St.Petersburg attracted 23% of new subscribers in July which is a good result for the new market entrant. Vimpelcom now has more than 80,000 subs in St.Pete and the region.

MegaFon, third-largest Russian operator, also did a good progress in July attracting 23% of all new users in the country. It is likely that the company may break through 5 mln in August.

Please note that we did not consolidate SibChallenge subscriber base into MTS numbers despite the recently announced acquisition. We plan to start the consolidation as soon as the deal is officially closed.

Russian Cellular Market Breakdown, July 2003

Shares in Net Additions, July 2003

Moscow Market

In Moscow the miost significant news of the months is MegaFon's leap from 8% to 16% in net additions. Vimpelcom retains its leading position with MTS following the race.

MCC, the market outsider, is about to launch its IMT-MC network in 450 MHz under SkyLink brand.

Moscow Market Breakdown, July 2003

Moscow Net Additions in July 2003