MTS - Mobile Telesystems - auf zu 100% mit der russischen Telekom

Antwort auf Biteater 03.08.06 10:42:33 Uhr

Na also:

UPDATE 3-MTS stock leaps after better-than-expected Q2

MOSCOW, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (MBT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Russia's top mobile telecoms provider, on Tuesday announced forecast-beating second-quarter earnings, sending its shares over 8 percent higher.

New York-listed MTS made a second-quarter net profit of $295 million, beating the average forecast of $270.5 million in a Reuters poll of 12 analysts.

Earnings were 3 percent down on a year earlier, but 60 percent better than in the first quarter, marking what investors hope will be a turnaround following Leonid Melamed's appointment as CEO in the spring after a period of management turmoil.

The stock was up 7.3 percent at $40.35 at 1430 GMT, having been as high as $40.84 earlier, a level it hasn't seen in about a year, with further support from the announcement of a share buyback programme and a plan to cut jobs.

MTS said it would acquire 10 percent of its stock over the next 12 months, a move praised by analysts as proof of good corporate governance and an efficient way to distribute value.

"We, as well as the market, think that the company is undervalued and expect growth in the fair value of our shares," Melamed told a news conference. "People can earn money by buying cheap shares."

Second-quarter revenue was $1.49 billion, above an average forecast of $1.42 billion, 21 percent higher than in the second quarter of 2005 and 16 percent up on the first quarter of 2006.

Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation was $730 million, ahead of the average forecast of $698.8 million. That is 12 percent up year-on-year, and 22 percent better than the previous quarter.

The second quarter is usually strong for all Russian mobile phone operators as clients go to their holiday houses and abroad, increasing roaming revenues and usage.

MTS's key rival, Vimpelcom (VIP.N: Quote, Profile, Research), reported on Friday a 23 percent year-on-year gain in its second-quarter net profits. The results, as well as the company's expectation that growth would continue, pushed Vimpelcom's shares to a record high. Melamed said another driver for better results was the launch of the company's first rouble tariff in June. The rouble denomination helps the firm, which reports in dollars, to take advantage of Russia's strengthening currency.

But Melamed said marketing costs related to the launch of the new tariff and a general re-branding of the company had dented its profitability.

The EBITDA profit margin was 48.9 percent, while analysts had expected it to be 49.4 percent, the only indicator that was below market expectations.

Troika-Dialog analyst Yevgeny Golossnoi shrugged off the below-expectations EBITDA margin figure. "It does not matter because they are cutting more personnel, and ARPU is rising," he said.

Average revenue per user in Russia was $7.10, above the average of analysts' forecasts of $6.80. ARPU in Ukraine was $8.00, which compared with the average forecast of $7.70.

"There are preconditions for ARPU to grow or stabilise at the second-quarter level, but we can only talk about its stabilisation by the end of the year," Melamed said.

In the first quarter of 2006, Russian ARPU was $6.20, and Ukrainian ARPU was $7.50.

Melamed also said MTS planned to shed 13.6 percent of its workforce by the end of the year. The plan would mean cutting the number of jobs in Russia to 19,700 from the current 22,800, using outsourcing as one of the ways to reduce costs.

As of the end of last year MTS employed 24,000 people. (Additional reporting by Julie Tolkacheva)

Antwort auf Biteater 03.08.06 10:39:15 Uhr

Weitere NEWS:

MOSCOW, July 17 (Reuters) - Russia's top mobile phone operator, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (MBT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), has acquired a 75 percent stake in Dagtelecom, a GSM-operator in the Caucasus, MTS said in a regulatory document on Monday.

The document provided no more details, but an MTS official said the company would issue a more detailed report on the deal later on Monday.

MTS is currently participating in a tender to buy 90 percent of Armenian operator Armentel from Greece's OTE (OTEr.AT: Quote, Profile, Research) (OTE.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

MTS has said it is interested in companies in the parts of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) where it is not represented -- Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Keiner da?

Schon wieder die 20% Anstieg seit Juni verpasst?

Es gibt auch NEWS:

MOSCOW, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Russia's top mobile services provider Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (MBT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to maintain its first quarter average revenue per user of $6.2 through the whole of 2006, Chief Executive Leonid Melamed said on Wednesday.

Melamed reiterated MTS's 2006 revenue growth of 10-15 percent and earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation margin of 50 percent.

15 June 2006

Moscow, Russian Federation — June 15, 2006 — Mobile TeleSystems OJSC («MTS» — NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, today announces its first quarter 2006 financial and operating results.

Financial Highlights

* Consolidated revenues of $1,289 million
* Consolidated OIBDA2 of $599 million (OIBDA margin of 46.5%)
* Consolidated net income of $184 million
* Free cash-flow3 positive with $11 million

Operating Highlights

* Operational in 83 regions in Russia; 5 countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU)
* Subscriber growth of 2.86 million new customers added during the quarter; 1.84 million new customers added in April and May, bringing MTS’ consolidated subscriber base to 62.89 million as of May 31, 2006
* Leading position maintained in MTS’ national operating markets – Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Belarus


Leonid Melamed, President and CEO of MTS, commented:

“I would like to first off thank the shareholders of MTS for recently electing me President and CEO of MTS, not only a leading Russian blue-chip company, but the top mobile phone operator in region. MTS has gone through a period of rapid growth, demonstrating that we are an effective operator in the markets of the former Soviet Union. As the Russian market matures, and as Ukraine approaches saturation point, we aim to further solidify our leadership position by improving upon the effectiveness of our operations, and seek additional opportunities for growth abroad using our economies of scale.

We witnessed difficult Q4 2005 and Q1 2006, but currently are pursuing a number of initiatives covering our entire value chain aimed at increasing our revenue in our home markets and optimizing business processes to improve upon our margins. We will be aggressive in examining costs and seek an acceptable rate of return on our investments and expenses. As a benchmark, we are seeking a return on invested capital of 25% over a five-year period through organic and inorganic growth.

In Q1 2006 we maintained our leading revenue share in Russia, while showing a clear lead in market share in Belarus, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In Ukraine, the mobile market has entered a more competitive environment after the acquisition of URS by Vimpelcom in November 2005. Nevertheless, UMC maintained its revenue leadership in the post-paid market. Our subsidiary in Uzbekistan increased its market share from 55% to 57% and remains a clear leader in the country’s telecommunications market. In Turkmenistan, our subsidiary continued to dominate the local market and now boasts a 75% market share compared to 74% at the end of the previous quarter. During the first quarter, MTS' joint venture in Belarus enjoyed a 51% market share as penetration in the country reached 46%. The Company remains committed to acquiring a controlling stake in the joint venture.

Looking back more closely on the first quarter of 2006, we witnessed a slight drop in revenue in Russia of 2.6% to $929 million q-o-q. We attribute this loss to seasonal issues, namely fewer working days and lower guest roaming revenues, as well as inappropriate price policies in a number of regions. We have adjusted prices in these regions and are now refocusing our marketing both on a national and local level. Our first step was to launch a new brand, a brand chosen as much for its innovative feel as its clarity. We are introducing segmented tariff plans for all services, targeted sales policies by region and loyalty programs, at the same time strengthening our proprietary distribution network by remodeling sales and service centers. On Tuesday, we also announced the gradual move towards fixed ruble-based tariffs as we simplify our payment process. The goal of these steps remains to increase sales, stimulate traffic and improve customer service.

In Ukraine, the first quarter is also a weak quarter due to the winter holiday period and the effects of holiday-related promotions. Since the beginning of Q1 2006, interconnect payments received from state-controlled Ukrtelekom fell by 16.7%, and in turn rates between the mobile operators decreased accordingly.

In Uzbekistan, revenues remained flat at $25.4 million, though net income fell by 8.7% due to a change in the company’s accounting policies.

The group’s OIBDA margin of 46.5% was higher than Q4 2005, but fell slightly short of our expectations due a one-time charge of $16 million in our provision for doubtful debt. If it wasn’t for this cost item, our OIBDA margin could have been more than another percentage point higher. For the group, we expect an OIBDA margin of above 50% moving forward as we more fully optimize our operating expenses.

Three factors contributed to our lower net income of $184 million. Firstly, on a quarter-on-quarter basis, we witnessed a decrease in revenues from our Russian and Ukrainian operating units. Secondly, we incurred an increase in other non-operating costs mostly related to roaming expenses. And thirdly, our depreciation and amortization expenses also increased.

ARPU in Russia fell 15% q-o-q to $6.2. We expect that the introduction of CPP, coupled with targeted measures to stimulate voice traffic and the development of value-added services, should allow us to stabilize ARPU in 2006 and lay a foundation for growth for the future. As for value-added services, we plan to improve upon its contribution to ARPU from the current level of 14%. For Ukraine, intensified competition will result in a future dilution of ARPU, though we are pleased with the rise in value-added services as a percentage of subscriber revenue and naturally view this as a driving factor for future growth.

In addition, we are reevaluating our approach on a group-wide basis to capital expenditures by placing more emphasis on payback periods and internal rates of return. Each macro-region is being given a set of key performance indicators, quality benchmarks and operational standards. We are already witnessing benefits from this system, as our CAPEX blend is moving from one focused on coverage to capacity.”
Operating Overview
Market Growth

Growth in Russia and Ukraine continued with mobile penetration4 increasing from 87% to 91% in Russia and from 64% to 69% in Ukraine during the first quarter of 2006.

Mobile penetration in Uzbekistan increased from 4.0% at the beginning of the year to 4.4% at the end of the first quarter and from 1.5% to 1.8% in Turkmenistan. In Belarus, mobile penetration increased from 41% to 46% for the same period.
Subscriber Development

The Company added 2.86 million new customers during the first quarter of 2006 on a consolidated basis, all of which were added organically. MTS’ operations in Russia accounted for 1.62 million, 1.13 million were added in Ukraine, approximately 90.5 thousand in Uzbekistan and 21.6 thousand in Turkmenistan.

The Company’s churn rates in Russia and Ukraine in the first quarter of 2006 increased slightly when compared to the previous quarter to 6.3% and 6.1% respectively.

Since the end of the first quarter to May 31, 2006, MTS has organically added a further 1.84 million, expanding its consolidated subscriber base to 62.89 million.
Market Share

In Russia, MTS kept its leading position with a market share of approximately 35%. In Ukraine, the Company maintained its market share at 44%. MTS’ market share5in Uzbekistan reached 57% and 75% in Turkmenistan at the end of the first quarter of 2006.

In Belarus, the market share of MTS Belarus decreased slightly during the first quarter of 2006 from 52% to 51%.
Customer Segmentation

Subscriptions to MTS’ pre-paid tariff plans (Jeans in Russia, and Jeans and SIM-SIM in Ukraine) accounted for 94% of gross additions in Russia and 95% Ukraine. By the end of the first quarter of 2006, 89% of MTS’ customers in Russia were signed up to pre-paid tariff plans, compared to 81% a year ago. In Ukraine, the share of customers signed to pre-paid tariff plans increased from 87% in Q1 2005 to 91%.

Viel Spaß damit.

Antwort auf Biteater 24.03.06 15:15:50 Uhr

Am 20.3. klang alles noch verheißungsvoller!

MTS to spend $7-10 bln for foreign acquisitions-paper
Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:13 AM ET

MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - Russia\'s top mobile phone operator, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (MBT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), is ready to spend $7-10 billion on acquisitions, Vedomosti business daily quoted MTS CEO Vassily Sidorov as saying on Monday.

"$7 to $10 billion -- that\'s about how much we will have to spend on foreign acquisitions to become one of the world\'s 10 top operators by 2010," Sidorov said.

"We have five years for the acquisitions but most likely the window of opportunity ... will be open for another two to two and a half years. So, most of the acquisitions may happen in 2006-2008."

...

Könnte also auch wider HOCH gehen.

Dazu ein Kommentar

Nyet or Not Yet for Mobile TeleSystems
Monday March 27, 11:33 am ET
By Stephen D. Simpson, CFA (TMFWildWeasel)

The last two years or so have been a great time to own foreign telecom stocks ... unless you're talking about Russia's Mobile TeleSystems (NYSE: MBT - News), that is. Whether it's worries about competition and falling per-user revenue, worries about regulation and government policies, or worries about management execution, there have been plenty of reasons floated for keeping a safe distance from this stock.

And judging by fourth-quarter earnings, it would seem that the skeptics had something of a point. Revenue, EBITDA, and net income were all up by amounts that would ordinarily seem quite satisfactory, but they were all a bit shy of analyst estimations. Not big misses, mind you, but enough for the skeptics to go "Ah hah! I told you so!"

Looking at some of the various statistics that Mobile TeleSystems provided, the one that jumps out the most is the ongoing sharp drop in average revenue per user. ARPU in Russia fell 35% and in the Ukraine fell 27% from last year, which was better than the year-over-year drop seen in the third quarter, but not by much.

Though some people will undoubtedly read a lot into management's apparent admission that business will be getting tougher, I'm not exactly sure why anyone would really be surprised by this. After all, how many competitive markets can you name where conditions are getting easier?

It's clear to me, though, that Mobile TeleSystems will have to continue to be aggressive and opportunistic in seeking out new markets. According to data provided by the company, mobile penetration jumped to 87% from 51% in Russia this year, and to 64% from 29% in the Ukraine. The trick, though, is that many of the underpenetrated markets near Russia aren't particularly wealthy, so you can wonder what the future holds for the company's returns on new capital investments in these regions.

The good news here is that Mobile TeleSystems no longer looks as expensive as it once did, and I believe it's still better-run than rival VimpelCom (NYSE: VIP - News). With so many options to choose from, though, ranging from well-established companies like Vodafone (NYSE: VOD - News), NTTDoCoMo (NYSE: DCM - News), and Telecom New Zealand (NYSE: NZT - News) to riskier ideas like Philippine Long Distance (NYSE: PHI - News), Fools should do plenty of due diligence on the other options out there before settling on one provider.

Die letzten NEWS wurden leider nicht Positiv aufgenommen.

UPDATE 1-MTS Q4 below mkt forecast, CEO warns of challenges
Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:32 AM ET

MOSCOW, March 27 (Reuters) - Russia's top mobile phone operator, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (MBT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), reported fourth-quarter results that were below market expectations on Monday, and its head warned of new challenges in 2006.

MTS said in a statement its net profit amounted to $242.6 million, less than the average forecast of $256.6 million in a Reuters poll of 11 analysts.

Earnings before interest, taxation and depreciation (EBITD) stood at $613.1 million, compared with $635.0 million expected by the analysts. Revenues were $1.33 billion, also below analysts' forecast of $1.35 billion.

EBITDA margin, a key figure showing a company's effectiveness, was 46.0 percent, while analysts expected it at 47.1 percent.

MTS President and CEO Vassily Sidorov told a news conference the company expected an EBITDA margin of under 50 percent in 2006 compared with 50.7 percent for 2005 overall.

He said that a cost-cutting programme that the company planned to launch at the end of the second quarter would help add 2 percentage points to margins in a year from its start.

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) in Russia was $7.3 and in Ukraine $9.1. Analysts expected $7.6 and $9.0 respectively.

Sidorov said ARPU would continue falling in 2006 and would only stabilise by the end of the year.

"ARPU is falling but I think we will see the floor by the end of the year," he said.

Sidorov also said the firm faced new challenges in 2006 with the introduction of a calling-party-pays regime, mobile number portability and mobile virtual network operators.

The calling-party-pays system will come in force from July 1, 2006, but the government has not yet set its terms.

"These terms may potentially have a negative effect on our profitability, as our revenues may decrease without a similar reduction in associated costs," Sidorov said in the statement.

He said MTS planned to spend 75 percent of 2005 net profit under Russian accounting standards in dividends, the same as in 2004.

MTS's 2006 capital expenditure would be a bit less than $2 billion, 60 percent out of which would be spent in Russia.

Sidorov declined to say how much of the spending would be financed from MTS's own funds and how much would be borrowed. He only said that the firm was completing a syndicated credit line.

In February, Vedomosti business daily quoted sources close to the company as saying MTS was preparing to take a $1.1 billion credit.

Sidorov said MTS was working on several acquisitions in the CIS.

Mobile Telesystems Earnings Conference Call (Q4 2005)
Scheduled to start Mon, Mar 27, 2006, 9:00 am Eastern

MTS to spend $7-10 bln for foreign acquisitions-paper
Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:13 AM ET

MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - Russia's top mobile phone operator, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (MBT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), is ready to spend $7-10 billion on acquisitions, Vedomosti business daily quoted MTS CEO Vassily Sidorov as saying on Monday.

"$7 to $10 billion -- that's about how much we will have to spend on foreign acquisitions to become one of the world's 10 top operators by 2010," Sidorov said.

"We have five years for the acquisitions but most likely the window of opportunity ... will be open for another two to two and a half years. So, most of the acquisitions may happen in 2006-2008."

MTS, whose home market has reached penetration of nearly 90 percent, has recently bid for a third licence in Egypt. It bid for Turkey's Telsim but lost to Vodafone (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research) earlier this year.

Sidorov said North Africa, Middle East, South-East Asia, South Asia, South and South-East Europe were MTS's key regions of interest.

"As a strategic investor we will, of course, try to buy control in the assets we buy ... but we do not rule out taking a blocking stake in countries with curbs on foreign control over companies," he said.

Sidorov also said that MTS had hired A.T. Kearney to run a cost-cutting project to raise earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation margin -- a key figure showing a company's effectiveness -- by 1-2 percent.

Und der Vollständigkeit halber die Meldung von heute:

MTS Announces Subscriber Growth Numbers for February 2006

Moscow, Russian Federation — March 16, 2006 — Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS” — NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, announces that its consolidated subscriber base reached 60.31 million users on February 28, 2006.

During February 2006, MTS’ consolidated subscriber base increased by 0.81 million subscribers, of which 0.57 million were added in Russia.

Nach kurzer Verschnaufpause jetzt wieder über 37 USD und eine Empfehlung:

Three Emerging-Market Gems

By James Altucher
RealMoney.com Contributor
3/15/2006 4:19 PM EST

This column was originally published on RealMoney on March 15 at 12:30 p.m. EST. It`s being republished as a bonus for TheStreet.com readers.

"China and India are old news," says a friend of mine who recently retired, thanks to good stock-picking. "Africa, South America and maybe Indonesia or Vietnam are where people should be looking."

With these emerging markets and others just beginning to hit their growth streaks, I like the companies that deal with the technologies that are ramping alongside the GDPs: wireless and banking technology. Three stocks have caught my eye recently: Mobile Telesystems (MBT:NYSE ADR - commentary - research - Cramer`s Take), Net1UEPS Technologies (UEPS:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer`s Take) and America Movil SA de CV (AMX:NYSE ADR - commentary - research - Cramer`s Take).

With over 59 million customers and the largest mobile network in Russia, Mobile Telesystems is clearly a diamond in the rough. The company grew its subscriber numbers by over 70% in 2005 in Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus.

The company sports a ratio of EV (enterprise value, which is market cap minus net cash) to EBITDA of 6.624 and an EV/cash flow from operations of 8. It generated $1.97 billion over the trailing 12 months in operating cash flow, and its balance sheet is in good shape, with $557 million in cash and $2.3 billion in debt that is easily serviced by its $2.42 billion EBITDA.

A look at the annual income statement and cash-flow statement of the past three years further clarifies this company`s capabilities. Operating income and cash flow from operations grew every year sequentially. At an EPS of $2.66, this is both a growth story and a multiple expansion story. I think this company will continue to grow revenue through expansion and margin improvement, and because it carries the scarlet letter of Russia, it can be had at a discount. Yes, Russia is now an emerging market, but this company has already arrived.

Schluss: 38,96 USD

38,20 USD geht doch

Wow! Na also. Geht doch UPPPPPPP.

Russia`s MTS aims to grow via emerging market buys
Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:57 AM ET
MOSCOW, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (MBT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Russia`s leading mobile phone company, aims to join the world`s top 10 mobile phone companies in terms of market capitalisation by 2010 by targeting acquisitions in fast-growing emerging markets, its chief executive told a Russian newspaper.

Vassily Sidorov, in an interview with the Kommersant daily published on Wednesday, said attaining that goal would require investment between $7 billion and $10 billion as MTS seeks to expand beyond its core ex-Soviet markets.

Russia`s MTS aims to grow via emerging market buys
UPDATE 1-Russian mobile firm MTS sees 2006 capex at $2 bln
Russia`s mobile firm MTS see 2006 capex at $2 bln
"To achieve this goal we must develop extensively beyond the borders of those countries where we already work," Sidorov said, adding that MTS would become cash-generative this year and aimed to put those funds to work.

"The time window in which it will be possible to acquire promising assets in fast-growing markets at acceptable prices will slam shut pretty soon."

MTS, controlled by services conglomerate AFK Sistema (SSAq.L: Quote, Profile, Research), has a subscriber base of 62 million -- mostly in Russia -- and to achieve its top-10 goal its client total needs to reach 100 million subscribers, said Sidorov.

That in turn would require MTS to double the population covered by its existing licences, which is now 240 million.

He said the former Soviet Union was a priority, while MTS was interested in South Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. But expanding into eastern Europe looked expensive and MTS was not looking at South America.

MTS, with a market capitalisation of $13.4 billion, in December posted third-quarter revenue growth of 27 percent but only achieved a 3 percent rise in earnings.

By comparison, the market capitalisation of Britain`s Vodafone (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research), the mobile world`s market leader by sales, is $128 billion. For Russian company news, double click on [E-RU] Russian stocks [.ME] Russia country guide <RUSSIA> All Russian news [RU] Scrolling stocks news [STXNEWS/EU] Emerging markets top news [TOP/EMRG] Top deals [TOP/DEALS] European companies [TOP/EQE] Index quotes RTS <.IRTS> MICEX <.MCX> MSCI Russia <.MSCIRU>

MTS to keep capital costs in 2006 at the level of last year

07/02/2006

Mobile TeleSystemms (MTS) intends to keep the volume of capital costs this year at the level of last year, MTS President Vasiliy Sidorov told during the teleconference for investors.
Last year capital expenses amounted to US$2 billion, V. Sidorov said.

Over the nine months of 2005 the Company`s capital expenditures made up US$1.4 billion ($80 per new subscriber).

The President of MTS also noticed the investment program of UMC, the Ukrainian subsidiary of MTS, was increased while the total investment volume kept at the same level.

Company`s capital input in 2004 amounted to US$1.359 billion.


Der Bulle

ao HV am 28.März 2006

Announcement of the Date of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders

25 January 2006

Moscow, Russian Federation – January 25, 2006 – Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS” — NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, announces the date of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders.

At Sistema’s request, MTS’ Board of Directors has set the date for the Company’s extraordinary general meeting for March 28, 2006.

Issues entered into the extraordinary general meeting’s agenda by the Company’s Board of Directors include early termination of its members’ duties and the election of new candidates to the Board.



Sistema (LSE: SSA) is the largest private sector consumer services company in Russia and the CIS.
For further information contact:

Mobile TeleSystems, Moscow
Investor Relations
tel: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]


Der Bulle

Hi Fans,

keiner mehr investiert?

Komet

Number of Mobile Service Subscribers in Russia Increased by 70% in 2005

17.01.2006 16:25 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 16:25 MSK

MosNews

In 2005 total number of mobile service subscribers in Russia has grown by 70 percent and reached 125.8 million.
The shares of Big Three mobile operators on the Russian market had been left mostly unchanged, while level of penetration has neared 90 percent.
This information was reported on Tuesday, Jan. 17, by AC&M consulting bureau.

Russia’s second largest mobile provider VimpelCom has relinquished its leadership position in the country’s largest Moscow region.
Leader of CIS market Mobile TeleSystems has kept its market share of 44.6 percent (as compared with 44.3 percent a year earlier).
A year ago VimpelCom controlled 44.4 percent of Moscow market, but as of Dec. 31, 2005, its share in the region had falled to 40.8 percent.
The share of Russia’s third mobile operator, MegaFon, has increased from 10.8 to 14 percent.

Overall mobile operators have kept their market in share almost unchanged.
At the end of 2005 MTS controlled 35.2 percent of the market, VimpelCom- 34.3 percent and MegaFon – 18.1 percent.
At the end of 2004 these figures amounted to 34.8, 34 and 18.4 percent respectively.

Evaluations provided by AC&M are considered to be the most exact among Russian mobile market observers.
The consulting agency estimates that by the end of 2005 level of mobile penetration in Russia has grown to 86.6 percent as compared with 51.2 percent a year earlier.

Der Bulle

MTS Announces Subscriber Growth Numbers for December 2005



17 January 2006

Moscow, Russian Federation – January 17, 2006 – Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS” — NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, announces that its consolidated subscriber base reached 58.19 million users on December 31, 2005.

During December 2005, MTS’ consolidated subscriber base increased by 4.08 million subscribers, of which 2.61 million were added in Russia.

Subscribers	31.December 2005	30.November 2005	Growth Subs.	Growth %	31.December 2004	Growth Subs.	Growth %
Total subscribers	58.19	54.11	4.08	+7.5%	34.22	23.97	+70.1%

in million users

http://www.company.mtsgsm.com/ir/2006-01-17-0014/






Fazit: BUY


Der Bulle

PS: Nach einem Kundenwachstum von 17,50 Mio. im Jahr 2004 konnte MTS auch im Jahre 2005 weiterhin ein starkes Wachstum mit rund 24 Mio. Neukunden verzeichnen.
MTS bleibt auf Kauf mit einem Kursziel von 40 €.
Anfang Januar 2005 hat MTS bei den ADR`s einen Split von 1 zu 4 durchgeführt, was die Anzahl der umlaufenden ADR`s auf 396 Mio. Stück vervierfacht hat (sollte man bei seiner Gewinnermittlung berücksichtigen, sonst kommt man schnell auf`s falsche KGV).

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC: buy (ATON Capital Group)

29.12.2005

Die Analysten von ATON Capital Group stufen die Aktie von MTS unverändert mit "buy" ein und bestätigen den Fair Value von 47,90 USD.

Der Stillstand bei der Übernahme eines 51%igen Anteils am kirgisischen Mobilfunkbetreiber Bitel gehe weiter.
Der laufende Eigentümerstreit sei am eskalieren.
Ein Gericht in Bishkek habe im Gegensatz zu einem britischen Gericht entschieden, dass Alliance Capital kein Verkaufsrecht an Bitel habe.

Es habe zunehmend den Anschein, als ob die Konfrontation rund um Bitel länger andauern könnte als zunächst angenommen.
Die jüngste Entwicklung helfe nicht dem bereits angesäuerten Sentiment.
Allerdings sollte die Affäre keine wesentlichen Auswirkungen auf MTS haben.

Vor diesem Hintergrund halten die Analysten von ATON Capital Group an ihrer Kaufempfehlung für die Aktie von MTS fest.

Der Bulle