this is a very informative post I stole from a guy named Datsun310 on the RB board. This is the section that I like the best:
Last modified:
02/26/2001 21:11:38
TIW adds nearly 900,000 cellular subscribers in fourth quarter of 2000
97% annual growth pushes total cellular subscribers at end of 2000 to over 4 million
Montréal, January 25, 2001 - Telesystem International Wireless Inc. (TSE, "TIW", Nasdaq, "TIWI") today announced record growth in the fourth quarter of 2000 with the net addition of 878,300 total cellular subscribers, a 49% increase over the 589,500 net additions achieved in the preceding quarter. The Company ended 2000 with 4,425,900 total cellular subscribers, an increase of 2,176,000, or 97%, over 1999. The Company's proportionate cellular subscribers rose by 524,000 to 1,061,800 at the end of 2000, nearly double the 537,800 subscribers at the end of 1999.
"The growth in cellular subscribers demonstrates solid execution by TIW's operating subsidiaries and affiliates in their respective markets, and provides a strong base for further market penetration," said Bruno Ducharme, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are particularly pleased with our performance in the Czech Republic where our subsidiary achieved a 7% market share in 10 months of commercial operation. Industry analysts have ranked Cesky Mobil as the fastest growing cellular start-up in Central/Eastern Europe."
Dolphin Telecom plc (Dolphin) recorded its best quarter and added 21,000 Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR) subscribers in the United Kingdom during the fourth quarter of 2000, more than double the number of net ESMR additions in the previous quarter. At year-end 2000, Dolphin had 51,500 ESMR subscribers. ESMR and SMR subscribers reached 273,500 at December 31, 2000.
TIW's total subscribers, excluding paging subscribers, reached 4,699,400 in 2000, compared to 2,538,300 at December 31, 1999, an increase of 85%. Proportionate cellular, ESMR and SMR subscribers at December 31, 2000 totaled 1,275,500, compared to 751,400 at the end of 1999.
"We are pleased with the acceleration of the net ESMR additions at Dolphin in the fourth quarter of 2000 and early 2001 results show the momentum of the past few months at Dolphin is being maintained", added Mr. Ducharme. "Since the beginning of the year, Dolphin has announced initial contracts with KLM Ground Services and WHSmith News, a major newspaper distributor, and continues to grow its existing relationship with key customers such Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd."
ClearWave N.V., TIW's subsidiary in Central/Eastern Europe, ended 2000 with 1,473,500 cellular subscribers, more than double the 702,100 at the end of 1999. MobiFon posted another strong year in Romania, passing the one-million-subscriber mark to reach 1,171,800 subscribers at December 31, 2000. Cesky Mobil, which launched commercial services on March 1, 2000 ended the year with 301,700 subscribers.
In Brazil, the Company's cellular operations nearly doubled the total number of subscribers, reaching 2,917,000 at December 31, 2000 compared to 1,514,400 at the end of 1999. Telemig Celular retained its leadership with 1,240,700 subscribers at the end of 2000, compared to 776,300 in 1999. Tele Norte Celular increased its subscriber base to 755,700 from 343,600 at the end of 1999. Telet nearly tripled its subscriber base to 524,500 while Americel ended 2000 with 396,100 subscribers, an increase of 87%.
About TIW
TIW is a rapidly-growing, global mobile communications operator with over 4.8 million subscribers worldwide. The Company's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TIW") and NASDAQ ("TIWI").
TIW is deploying a pan-European digital specialized mobile radio (ESMR) network through its subsidiary Dolphin Telecom plc. In addition to its Dolphin operations, TIW is the strategic partner of the country's fifth largest cellular group in Brazil. In Central and Eastern Europe, TIW is a cellular market leader in Romania and launched services in the Czech Republic in March 2000.
For Information:
Mark Boutet
Vice President, Communications
Telesystem International
Wireless Inc.
TEL (514) 673-8406
mboutet@tiw.ca
Benoit Forcier
Director, Investor Relations
Telesystem International
Wireless Inc.
TEL (514) 673-8468
bforcier@tiw.ca
A little review. TIW tiw.ca owns
W-AURA waura.com.br ------ Altavista bablefish translation from Portuguese to English follows:
Fruit of partnership The w-Aura is formed through the partnership with the Canadian Telesystem International Wireless (TIW) and group VCC/cOpportunity Equity Partners. The TIW is a global operator of communication in fast growth, with more than 2.9 million subscribers in the Europe and Asia and 1.7 million in Brazil in system of cellular telephony. The VCC/cOpportunity is one of the biggest administrators of features of third of Latin America, and that it searchs the best alternatives of investment in Brazil. Its strategy is the participation in companies of the infrastructure sector, telecommunications, Internet and technology. ---
which uses Infospace internetnews.com
in an area of Brazil with 16 million subscribers.
www1.atlnetwap.com.br 5&y=11
www1.meuclaro.com.br
www1.telemigcelular.com.br =2&login2=novo&image.x=80&image.y=10
bcp.uol.com.br
www1.iamazonia.com.br;
O |
