By Rogerio Jelmayer
SAO PAULO--Brazil's mobile-phone subscriptions rose in December
at a slower pace than the previous month, according to figures
released Monday by telecommunications regulator Anatel.
Total mobile-phone users in Brazil reached 271.1 million in
December, when a total of 580,920 new subscribers were signed up,
compared with 594,900 new subscribers in November.
In the full year of 2013, mobile-phone subscriptions increased
3.55% versus the year-ago period, with 9.92 million new
subscriptions. By comparison, in 2012 mobile-phone users picked up
8% versus 2011, 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
28.49% in December, down from its 28.71% market share in November,
but it still remains the country's largest operator overall.
TIM Participacoes S/A (TSU, TIMP3.BR) was second with 27.09% in
December, up from 26.99% 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), ranked third with a 25.34% share compared with
25.23% in November.
Local telecommunications company Oi SA (OIBR, OIBR4.BR) remained
in fourth place with a 18.52% share, down from 18.55% in
November.
Write to Rogerio Jelmayer at rogerio.jelmayer@wsj.com