Brazil's Mobile Cos Register 1.1 Million New Clients In Nov

SAO PAULO -(Dow Jones)- Brazilian mobile phone companies added 1.1 million clients in November, indicating a minor slowdown in the breakneck expansion in cellphone usage, according to preliminary figures released by telecommunications regulator Anatel Thursday.

The market grew 24% in the first eleven months of 2005, bringing the total subscriber base to 82.35 million. Subscriptions are up 35% on the year.

Brazil's mobile phone market has been extremely competitive with operators dashing to sign up customers. As a result, it is one of the world's fastest-growing markets.

Net additions slowed in November from 1.24 million in October but are expected to rise in December as operators launch major Christmas promotional campaigns.

Anatel expects to issue consolidated November figures next week, showing the breakdown of pre-paid and post-paid clients and the market share for each of the major wireless operators.

Currently, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest mobile phone market in terms of handset numbers, behind China, the U.S., Japan and Russia.

--Alastair Stewart; Dow Jones Newswires; 5511 3145 1479; alastair.stewart@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 15th December 2005