Brazil's Vivo, TIM Lose Mobile Market Share in June

SAO PAULO -(Dow Jones)- Brazil's two leading mobile phone companies, Vivo Participacoes and TIM Participacoes, saw their share of the local mobile phone market slip in June, while America Movil's Claro and Tele Norte Leste Participacoes, or Oi, expanded share, according to data released by telecommunications regulator Anatel Thursday.

Vivo, which is jointly owned by Spain's Telefonica and Portugal Telecom, saw its market share fall to 30.36% in June from 30.45% in May, while No. 2 operator TIM Participacoes, a local unit of Telecom Italia, saw its share fall to 25.40% from 25.60%

Claro's market share rose to 24.87% in June from 24.75% in May. Oi had 15.25% in June, up from 15.09% in May.

Cellphones in circulation totaled 133.2 million at the end of June, with net additions of 2.6 million in the month. The market continues to expand rapidly as operators chase new clients with promotions.

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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Posted to the site on 18th July 2008