SAO PAULO -(Dow Jones)- Brazil's mobile-phone subscriptions increased to 247.6 million in February, up 1% from January, according to figures released Tuesday by telecommunications regulator Anatel. New subscriptions in February totaled 2.4 million. Telefonica Brasil SA (VIV, VIVT4.BR), also known as Vivo, remained the market leader in February with a 29.85% share. Vivo is controlled by Spain's Telefonica SA (TEF, TEF.MC). TIM Participacoes SA (TIMP3.BR, TSU) was second with a 26.62% share of the market. TIM is the local unit of Telecom Italia SpA (TIT.MI). Claro, the local unit of Mexico's America Movil SA (AMX.MX, AMX, AMOV), ranked third with 24.66% of the market. In fourth place, mobile-phone operator Tele Norte Leste Participacoes SA (TNE, TNLP4.BR), or Oi, captured 18.56% of the market. -By Rogerio Jelmayer, Dow Jones Newswires; 55-11-3544-7071; rogerio.jelmayer@dowjones.com
