SAO PAULO--Brazil's mobile-phone subscriptions rose in December
at a faster pace than the previous month, according to figures
released Friday by telecommunications regulator Anatel.
Total mobile-phone users in Brazil increased to 261.76 million
in December, up 0.67% from November, Anatel said. A total of 1.72
million new subscribers were signed up in December, up from 745,000
new subscriptions seen in November. In November, the number of
mobile-phone users grew 0.28%.
In the full year of 2012, mobile-phone subscriptions increased
8% versus the year-ago period, with 19.54 million new
subscriptions.
Telefonica Brasil SA (VIV, VIVT4.BR), also known as Vivo, part
of Spain's Telefonica SA (TEF, TEF.MC), posted a market share of
29.08% in December, down from its 29.22% market share in November,
but it still remains the country's largest operator overall.
TIM Participacoes S/A (TSU, TIMP3.BR) was second with 26.87% in
December, up from 26.74% in the previous month. TIM is the local
unit of Telecom Italia SpA (TI, TIT.MI).
Claro, the local unit of Mexico's America Movil SAB de CV (AMX,
AMOV, AMX.MX), gained in market share, ranking third with a 24.92%
share compared with 24.75% in November.
Local telecommunications company Oi SA (OIBR, OIBR4.BR) remained
in fourth place with a 18.81% share, down from 18.98% in
November.
Write to Rogerio Jelmayer at rogerio.jelmayer@dowjones.com.
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires