Technologies17/04/2008MTS net profit up 2.4-fold in 2007
Leonid Melamed points to several revenue drives in Russia. Revenue from voice services grew by 24% up to US$3.701 billion in 2007 as compared to 2006. Revenue from VAS accounted for US$803 million, which is a 40% increase as compared to 2006. Revenue from interconnect was US$735 million having grown by 93% as compared to 2006.
Under US GAAP MTS consolidated revenue will grow by 25% up to US$10.315 billion in 2008 as compared to 2007. Voice service consumption, increase in VAS usage and interconnect are likely to become the main sources of revenue. In 2008 OIBDA is expected to reach 50% vs 51.2% in 2007.
In 2008 under US GAAP MTS capital investment reaches US$2.5 billion. In 2007 the company invested US$1.540 billion. Leonid Melamed clarifies in 2007 part of planned investment was not spent. Thus about US$450 million will be reschedules for 2008. At the same time the company has held not to disclose certain investment into 3G and 2G networks. Leonid Melamed stated the given investment fall under one project.
In 2008 US$1.650 billion is planned to be invested in business development in Russia. About US$500 million will be invested in Ukraine, US$200 million into Uzbekistan and US$75 into Armenia and Turkey.
MTS (Mobile TeleSystems) is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company services over 72.86 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM services, have a total population of more than 230 million. MTS completed its IPO and listed its Level III ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange in July 2000, under the symbol MBT. The Company’s shares have been listed locally on MICEX since November 2003, under the symbol MTSI. The Company’s GDRs are also traded in Europe. The free float of the Company’s shares is approximately 46.7%. MTS is 52.8% majority-owned by Sistema, the largest private sector consumer services company in Russia and the CIS. The company’s consolidated revenues in the first quarter of 2007 reached US$1,741million.