Chile's mobile penetration is expected to surpass 90% by the end of 2007 compared to 83% at end-2006, local newspaper La Tercera quoted Oliver Flöguel, general manager for the Chilean unit of mobile operator Movistar, as saying.
Movistar, the mobile unit of Spain's Telefónica, closed 2006 with a total client base in Chile of 5.3mn, representing a 42.6% share of the market. Local operator Entel PCS ended the year in second place with 4.9mn users and a 39.1% market share, followed by Claro, the Chilean unit of Mexico's América Móvil (NYSE: AMX), with 18.3%.
According to the report, Entel PCS predicts Chilean mobile penetration will reach 100% in 2007.
"The market will continue growing overall. We are seeing a lot of growth in mobile handset replacements, and more than an expansion in the penetration rates we are seeing a growth in overall revenues, because Chileans are consuming more, in voice and services," Flöguel said in the report."
Posted to the site on 21st March 2007
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/22702.php