20 Jul 2011 16:46

GSM Kazakhstan boosts total subscribers by 24% over past year

ALMATY. July 20 (Interfax) - Cellular operator GSM Kazakhstan, which is controlled by Scandinavian holding TeliaSonera, saw total subscribers stand at 9.707 million persons at the end of June, which was a 24.1% increase from the same period of 2010, TeliaSonera said in a financial report.

The company's MOU (minutes of use) went down by 5% to 113 minutes.

Total sales of SIM-cards and other devices increased by 6% to 3.657 million Swedish krona. The increase in sales was driven by the improving macroeconomic situation in the country, as well as the rising number of subscribers and increasing cellular data-transfer.

TeliaSonera owns 51% in GSM Kazakhstan while OJSC Kazakhtelecom holds 49%.

In addition to GSM Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan has two more GSM operators: Kar-Tel (controlled by Russia's Vimpelcom) and Mobile Telecom Service (owned by Tele2).