Mobile Content Russia

As estimated by consulting company AC&M Consulting, gross revenue of Russian mobile value added services market in the first quarter 2009 reached 856.2 million US dollars (29041.7 million roubles). In the fourth quarter 2008 revenue was 994.9 mln dollars (27124.7 mln. roubles). In roubles the revenue grew since 4Q08 by 7.1%, but in dollars it decreased in 1Q09 by 13.9%.

Mobile VAS ARPU in the fourth quarter fell to 1.5 dollars from 1.8 dollars in 4Q08. In roubles ARPU grew by 6.7% from 47.9 roubles in 4Q08 to 51.1 roubles in 1Q09.

Mobile VAS share in the general revenue of operators in 1Q09 increased up to 17.7% from 15.1% in 4Q08.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of IE Market Research Corp.'s new report "2Q09 Russia Mobile Operator Forecast, 2008 - 2013" to their offering.

Total subscribers in Russia to reach 201.8 million in 2013 with MTS losing market share to Vimpelcom and Megafon over the next five years

Mobile Operator Forecast on Russia provides over 65 operational and financial metrics for Russia's wireless market and is one of the best forecasts in the industry. We provide six-year forecasts at the operator level going out to 2013. We also provide quarterly historical and forecast data starting in 1Q2003 and ending in 4Q2013. Operators covered for Russia include: MTS, VimpelCom, and MegaFon. Our Mobile Operator Forecasts are updated quarterly and are available for one-time delivery or through regular updates.

VimpelCom (which operates under the Beeline trademark), MTS, the largest cellular network operator in Russia and CIS and MegaFon have announced the launch of their joint service «Chat» in all regions of Russia. The service allows subscribers of «the three great» with almost any handset model to send and receive instant text messages unlimitedly.

Incoming messages appear in the application window in a dialogue mode, so users can track the history of conversation and feel more comfortable while communicating. Subscribers can also use special icons (emoticons) and manage their status in the chat that allows invite those who are free for chat, and leave alone those who are busy.

ComNews Research has published a report about Russian mobile internet market in 2008 and has made its forecasts for 2009. In 2008, mobile internet (data services) was one of the most fast-growing value-added services segment for Russian mobile network operators. This growth was stimulated by further deployment of 3G networks, increase in the number of mobile internet users and consumed data. After economic conditions began crumbling, mobile web has become the most important countermeasure to ARPU decrease.

The main results of Russian mobile internet market in 2008 are as follows:

J'son & Partners reports that in February 2009 the number of registered SIM cards in Russia reached 190.4 million. Penetration rate in Russia increased to 134%, in Moscow region – to 185%. Compound subscribers base increased by 1.1 million (0.56%) in February 2009. During February 2009 monthly subscribers base growth decreased by 44% since February 2008.

During last 12 months compound user base of Russian operators increased by 23.9 mln. subscribers, or 14%. In March 1, 2009 MegaFon took the first place in growth figures – its subscriber base grew by 7 mln. VimpelCom (which operates under the Beeline trademark) got the second position, adding 6.6 new subscribers. The third place went to MTS with 6.4 new subscribers.

MegaFon, one of the three largest mobile network operators in Russia, published the rating of content-providers for the year 2008. TOP-5 content-providers are: Incore, A1, i-Free, INFON (Zed Russia), Shamrock Games (part of Next Media Group).

1. Incore
2. A1
3. i-Free
4. INFON (Zed Russia)
5. Shamrock Games (part of Next Media Group)
6. Plastic Media
7. Iricom
8. Forte-IT
9. Karolina Technology
10. Telemarket

MegaFon Moscow introduces new service Video-portal which provides subscribers with an opportunity to watch TV-shows, videoclips, musical and entertaining programs on their mobile phones.

Now all video programs are available on one portal. The cost of the service is 8 rubles (approximately $0.18) a day (including VAT), and subscribers do not pay for traffic. At the moment MegaFon subscribers can watch 7 channels in real time mode. In future number of the shows will be extended.

MegaFon Moscow and i-Free have started working together on mobile vending. The technology allows making purchases at vending machines with the help of mobile phone. The first coffee vending machine in Russia with mobile vending module was set to work in MegaFon Moscow office.

To buy a drink in this machine one doesn't need to have cash – it's enough to send an SMS to a special short mobile number of the operator. After a few seconds the vending machine allows the consumer to choose a coffee drink from those on offer and they will receive an SMS with information on their phone.

Russian mobile content developer and distributor Content Chaos reports that new technology provides opportunities not only for selling music to mobile subscribers, but also to promote artists and their music in mobile space. Content Chaos is working right in this direction. In order to promote its album «8», famous Russian band Mumij Trol has already successfully collaborated with MegaFon in television advertising and on WAP site.

MegaFon has reported that it has got the status of official mobile operator of Winter Olympic Games 2014. The status was given to MegaFon as the winner of competition in choosing the general partner of the event in telecommunications category. The competition was carried out by the organizing committee Sochi-2014.