Mobile Operators to See Strong Growth in Central Asia, Pyramid Research Reports

Central Asia's emerging markets will continue flocking to mobile telecom services over the next five years, with subscriber bases growing about 13 percent per year and revenues growing by 8 percent annually through 2013, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network (www.lightreading.com).

"Emerging Mobile Markets of Central Asia: The Game Is On" examines the growth potential for mobile services in Central Asia in light of the current economic environment, competitive situation, regulations, and adoption of new technologies. This 14-page report analyzes five key Central Asian mobile markets: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Download an excerpt of this new report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PR030209_IAP1.2

Central Asia's large population, its almost non-existent fixed telecommunications, and its comparatively low mobile penetration all point to considerable growth potential for mobile operators in the region, notes Bakhyt Weeks, analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report. "We expect more than 26.5 million new subscriptions to be added in these markets between 2008 and 2013 -- a 13 percent CAGR. This is roughly equal to, and potentially even higher than, the total net additions in the Central and Eastern European region during the same period," she says.

Revenue growth will lag subscriber growth as operators add more lower-income users, Weeks says. "However, in spite of the relatively low levels of personal income, total mobile services revenue will grow at an 8 percent CAGR in U.S. dollar terms, reaching US$4.6 billion in 2013, thanks to the massive increase in subscriptions."

Central Asia's potential as a growth area for mobile services has attracted large multinational operators such as MTS, VimpelCom, and TeliaSonera. "These operators have brought international experience, new services, lower prices, and technological innovation, and have in many cases introduced telecom services to previously untouched areas," says Weeks. "MegaFon and Tele2 are also eager to get a piece of this growing market, and this may drive even faster growth."

"Emerging Mobile Markets of Central Asia: The Game Is On" is part of Pyramid Research's Asia Pacific Telecom Insider Report Series. Published monthly for each of the world's most dynamic regions, Telecom Insiders are packed with trend analysis, industry best practices, market sizing and forecasting, competitor analysis, and case studies, providing you information you can leverage to make better business decisions.

Download an excerpt of this new report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PR030209_IAP1.2

"Emerging Mobile Markets of Central Asia: The Game Is On" is priced at $595 and can be purchased online here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/ins_ap_090227.htm?sc=PR030209_IAP1.2 or by contacting Jeff Claudino via email at claudino@pyr.com or telephone at +1-619-229-9940.

About Pyramid Research

Pyramid Research (http://www.pyr.com/) offers practical solutions to the complex demands our clients face in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries. Our analysis is uniquely positioned at the intersection of emerging markets, emerging technologies, and emerging business models, powered by the bottom-up methodology of our market forecasts for over 100 countries - a distinction that has remained unmatched for over 25 years. As the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network, Pyramid Research works with Heavy Reading, providing the communications industry's most comprehensive market data, trusted research, and insightful technology analysis.

About Light Reading

Founded in 2000, Light Reading (http://www.lightreading.com/) is the leading online media, research, and focused event company serving the $3 trillion worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading's research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20 targeted communications events including TelcoTV, Ethernet Expo New York and Ethernet Expo London, The Tower Summit @ CTIA, and Optical Expo, as well as focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and operates as a unit of TechWeb.

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TechWeb (http://techweb.com/aboutus), the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today, more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events, Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat, and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, and Wall Street & Technology magazines. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services including next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion.

*13.3 million business decision-makers: based on number of monthly connections

About United Business Media Limited (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/)

United Business Media Limited (UBM) is a global media and marketing services company that informs markets and brings the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. UBM serves professional and commercial communities, from IT professionals to doctors, from journalists to jewelry dealers, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. UBM employs more than 6,500 people in more than 30 countries. UBM's businesses operating in the US include CMPMedica, Commonwealth Business Media, Everything Channel, PR Newswire, RISI, TechInsights, TechWeb and Think Services. UBM is listed on the London Stock Exchange (UBM.L) and has a market capitalization of $2.5 billion.

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CONTACT: Jennifer Baker, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com

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