OREANDA-NEWS. Total number of cellular subscribers in Russia as of late September has reached 165.33 mn people, almost 1% above result of August. Penetration rate of cellular communications rose by 1 p.p. to 113.9%, Veles Capital reports with reference AC&M Consulting's latest research.

Traditionally, September's growth rate of subscriber's base of cellular operators is below usual results of August. Unlike prior month, which was flagged by mergers and absorptions, which influenced the balance of market's power, September proved calmer, whereas growth was caused by natural factors. The Leader of Big Three as to relative growth rate and net subscriptions is MTS (+1.4% +748 th). Vimpelcom dropped his subscriber numbers by 0.1%. However, given factor should prove positive at company's ARPU. TELE 2 was able to "restore" after sale of "Severnaya Korona" company, thus entering three fastest growing cellular carriers, adding 2.2% to the total number of subscribers. Nevertheless, leadership is still held by Sibirtelecom (+2.6%).