TIM: Mobile Market to Hit 100 Million Users This Year

Brazil's second largest mobile operator TIM expects the country's mobile market to surge to 100 million users this year, up from the 86.2 million users reported by industry regulator Anatel at end-2005, local news service Agência Estado reported.

Aggressive positions by some operators such as Telmex's Claro group, should accelerate the growth rate, the paper quoted TIM Brasil president Mario Cesar Pereira de Araujo as saying.

TIM Brasil has revised its own growth projection to 92,000 net additions for 2006, Araujo added.

However, the operator is betting on rationality by the main companies. Promotions are likely during the fiercely competitive Mother's Day period, but otherwise operators will not risk damaging profitability in order to expand their client base, Araujo said. TIM's cheapest prepaid handset is now 199 reais (US$93), he added.

BNamericas.com"

Posted to the site on 6th April 2006