Research: 275 Million LatAm Mobile Phone Users at End-2006

There were 275 million registered mobile phone users in Latin America at end-2006 compared to 130 million a year ago, Brazilian trade press reported, citing a study called the Brazilian Atlas of Telecommunications.

The number of mobile phone customers far outstrips the 95 million fixed lines reported at end-2006, the report said.

The research also identified 65 mobile telecoms operators in Latin America, with the largest being Mexico's América Móvil, Spain's Telefónica mobile arm Movistar and Telecom Italia.

Brazil had the largest number of mobile phones in use at almost 100 million for a population of 182 million at the end of 2006. The leader in terms of penetration was Chile with 72% or 11.4 million mobile phone users.

The Brazilian Atlas of Telecommunications 2007 is published by local company Converge, which compiles data from Brazilian telecoms regulator Anatel, the ministry of communications and private operators."

Posted to the site on 26th January 2007