Czech cellular operators reported respective user figures on Friday. The figures confirm the very strong growth in the cellular market which has easily accommodated the entry of third operator.
EuroTel: Cesky Telecom’s EuroTel reported 1,500,000 customers in July, implying 100% growth from one year ago. The figure implies the addition of approximately 400,000 users in the first six months of 2000, or more than 60,000 a month. This corresponds to the pattern seen in Q1 2000, implying that EuroTel’s Q2 additions have not been adversely affected by Cesky Mobil’s arrival. EuroTel reported six-month revenues of CZK 12.4 bil., +39% y-to-y.
RadioMobil: Ceske Radiokomunikace’s RadioMobil reported almost 1,350,000 users at the end of July, an almost 150% growth rate from one year ago. The figure implies well above 60,000 users per month this year, and no major impact of Cesky Mobil’s arrival.
Cesky Mobil (controlled by TIW) reported 72,000 users at the end of June, which is a very reasonable number given that CM launched its services in April this year (though CM has not released revenues or usage figures, which are equally important).
The figures also imply that Czech cellular penetration grew from 18.9% at the end of 1999 to approximately 28% in June 2000. In other words, about 9% of the total population became cellular users in the first six months of 2000.
In light of the user figures, we have raised our 2000 year-end total cellular penetration forecast, from 35% to 38% (vs. 18.9% penetration at the end of 1999).
(Ondřej Daťka)