By Rogerio Jelmayer
SAO PAULO--Brazil's mobile-phone subscriptions rose at a higher
pace in May compared with the prior month, while market leaders
Telefonica Brasil SA (VIVT4.BR, VIV), also known as Vivo, and TIM
Participacoes gained ground, according to telecommunications
regulator Anatel.
Total mobile-phone users in Brazil increased to 275.45 million
in May, up 0.68% from April, Anatel said. A total of 1.85 million
new subscribers were signed, up from just 15,490 in the previous
month.
Vivo, which is controlled by Spain's Telefonica SA (TEF.MC,
TEF), gained market share in the period. Vivo's market share ended
May at 28.75%, up from 28.71% in the previous month. In May, Vivo
reached its highest market share of this year.
TIM Participacoes, which is the second-largest company in terms
of clients, also saw an increase of its market share of 27.03% from
27%. TIM is the local unit of Telecom Italia SpA (TIT.MI, TI,
TIA).
On the other hand, Claro, the local unit of Mexico's America
Movil SAB (AMOV, AMX.MX, AMX), lost ground, ending May with a
market share of 24.96%, compared with 25.03% in April.
Local company Oi SA (OIBR4.BR, OIBR) remained fourth with
18.46%, down from 18.52%.
Write to Rogerio Jelmayer at rogerio.jelmayer@wsj.com
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