Mobile growth slows as market nears saturation

In the Q2 of 2006 the number of mobile phone subscriptions increased 41,000 to 9.5 million, well under the increase of 501,000 in the same period a year earlier. Market penetration reached 93.8%. However, the number of pre-paid card subscribers fell 72,000 as more people switched to post-paid packages. Mobile phone users made 14% more calls in Q2 2006 than in the same period a year earlier and they talked 26% longer, using their phones for an average 314 minutes per month. The average length per call also increased, by 10%. The number of landline subscriptions continued to decrease in Q2 2006, falling 121,000 in the twelve months to June 30, 2006 and 15,000 in April-June to 3.4 million. Landline penetration fell to 33.8% by the end of June, partly because of a pickup in VOIP services. Landline subscribers made calls totaling an average 647 minutes per month in Q2 2006, 9% fewer minutes than in the same period a year earlier. The average length of a landline calls was 3.3 minutes, but only 2.8 minutes excluding internet usage. The number of calls decreased 11% in a year, while the average length increased 9%. (Mti-Eco)