News

10% of Russians Currently Use Cellular Phones

October 3, 2002

AC&M reports that total number of cellular subscribers in Russia reached 14.5 mln as of September 30, 2002.

MTS remains the largest cellular network with 5.45 mln subscribers including 2.69 mln users in Moscow. Although MTS leads the race in regions, Vimpelcom manages to retain its first place on Moscow market with 3.3 mln users.

Megafon's Moscow numbers also improved - the company earned 11% of net additions in September reaching 162,000 subsribers, which is 35,000 growth compared to August data.

Top 10 Russian Cellular Operators

#	Company	Subs
1	MTS	5,450,000
2	Vimpelcom*	4,000,500
3	Megafon	2,286,291
4	SMARTS Group	433,800
5	Uralsvyazinform**	280,000
6	Taif-Telcom	201,437
7	Stavtelesot	148,748
8	N.Novgorod Cellular	126,000
9	Tatincom	108,000
10	Extel	94,686

as of September 30, 2002
* including Beeline Samara (102,500)
** consolidated Perm, Chelyabinsk, Kurgan and Tyumen regions

Russian Cellular Subscribers by Macro-regions, thsnd

Company	Center*	North	South	Volga	Urals	Siberia	Far East
MTS	3,010	520	570	180	145	270	50
Vimpelcom	3,210	0	10	10	40	90	0
Megafon	115	1,245	275	245	10	0	0
Others	350	275	265	775	430	245	225
Total	6,685	2,040	1,120	1,210	625	605	275
Penetration	16%	13%	7%	5%	3%	3%	2%

as of July 31, 2002
* including Moscow