Russian Cellular Market in March 2005
The number of Russian cellular customers grew 5% in March to reach 85.6 mln.
There were 59 SIM cards issued per 100 of population as of 31 March 2005 (compared to 29 in March 2004 and 51 at the end of 2004).
Russian Mobile Subscribers
| Mobile Subscribers | March 31, 2005 | February 28, 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Russia | 85,560,000 | 81,700,000 |
| Penetration* | 58.9% | 56.3% |
| Moscow | 18,608,083 | 18,129,914 |
| Penetration* | 109.6% | 106.7% |
| St.Petersburg | 6,053,309 | 5,911,085 |
| Penetration | 95.5% | 93.2% |
| Subscribers outside Moscow and St.Pete | 60,898,608 | 57,659,001 |
| Penetration | 50.0% | 47.3% |
* Please note that penetration figures are calculated based on official data from 2002 population census (17 mln for Moscow and 6.3 mln for St.Pete). Reportedly, the population in Moscow License Area reaches as high as 23-25 mln while St.Pete License Area population figure is above 7 mln.
Russian Cellular | Russian Net Additions, |
Top 10 Mobile Operators
| # | Company | March 31, 2005 | February 28, 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MTS | 40,085,000 | 38,480,000 |
Moscow | 8,110,000 | 7,955,000 | |
Ukraine (UMC) | 8,080,000 | 7,895,000 | |
Belarus | 1,400,000 | 1,328,000 | |
Uzbekistan | 352,000 | 337,000 | |
| 2 | Vimpelcom | 30,750,000 | 29,450,000 |
Moscow | 8,120,000 | 7,945,000 | |
Kazakhstan | 1,131,000 | 1,055,000 | |
| 3 | MegaFon | 15,684,945 | 14,867,250 |
Moscow | 2,255,879 | 2,127,996 | |
Tajikistan | 50,138 | 49,212 | |
| 4 | Uralsvyazinform | 2,400,000 | 2,283,100 |
| 5 | SMARTS Group | 2,101,000 | 2,010,000 |
| 6 | Tele2 | 1,490,000 | 1,410,000 |
| 7 | Sibirtelecom | 1,198,255 | 1,116,000 |
| 8 | N.Novgorod Cellular | 798,036 | 775,322 |
| 9 | Ekaterinburg Cellular Communications - MOTIV | 509,384 | 486,520 |
| 10 | New Telephone Company | 326,770 | 311,570 |
Almost 0.5 mln net additions were signed in Moscow. Penetration in the city reached 110% (73% in March 2004). According to our estimates the real penetration in the capital (if one takes adjusted population figure of ~25 mln vs. 17 mln official and discount for inactive users) is around 60-65% at the end of March. Big 3 players were almost on par in terms of new customer additions. However, Vimpelcom did slightly better than others and returned the leadership in the capital (though 5-10k difference so far do not look very convincing).
MegaFon outperformed MTS and Vimpelcom on its home market of St.Petersburg where it had been losing to competition since Oct-04, while MTS attracted the largest number of customers outside Moscow and St.Petersburg license areas.
Moscow and St.Petersburg
Moscow License Area
Moscow Market Breakdown | Net Additions in Moscow, |
St.Petersburg and Leningrad Region
St. Petersburg Market Breakdown | Net Additions in St.Petersburg |
Regions outside Moscow and St.Pete
Regional Market Breakdown | Regional Net Additions |
