Osiptel: Mobile Base Grows 21% in 1H06

The Peruvian mobile market saw its client base reach 6.75 million users at the end of the first half of 2006, up 21% compared to the 5.58 million recorded at the end of 2005, according to statistics from local telecoms regulator Osiptel.

The study shows Movistar Perú, the local unit of Spain's Telefónica Móviles, as leader of the market with 3.97 million users and a 71% market share. During the half, the company increased its client base by 16.4%.

Osiptel ranks Claro, a subsidiary of Mexico's América Móvil, in second position with 2.48 million subscribers and a 44% share. Claro saw its client base grow 27.3% in the period.

In third place is Nextel Perú, owned by Latin American digital trunking service provider NII Holdings (Nasdaq: NIHD). Nextel recorded a subscriber base of 296,494 users and a 5.3% market share with subscriber growth of 18.8% in 1H06.

At the end of June 2006, prepaid users represented 81.7% of Movistar's total client base, 89.6% for Claro and 17.2% for Nextel Perú.

BNAmericas.com"

Posted to the site on 9th August 2006