CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, February 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Despite challenging economic conditions in 2009, expansion in mobile data services and broadband Internet access will fuel the growth of the Brazilian telecom market, helping it retain the position of the largest telecom market in Latin America, according to the latest report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network (www.lightreading.com).

Communications Markets in Brazil offers a precise, incisive profile of the converged telecommunications, media, and technology sectors in Brazil based on exclusive market and economic data collected by Pyramid Research. The 30-page report provides detailed competitive analysis of the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services, and monitors the introduction and spread of new technologies such as WiMAX, IPTV, and VoIP. Download an excerpt of this report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18sc=PR022609_CIRBR

We estimate that total telecom revenue in Brazil in 2008 reached US$55.8 billion, up US$7.4 billion from 2007, comments Fernando Faria, senior analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report. This growth has been fueled due to a jump in mobile penetration and data services per subscriber, he continues, adding that mobile subscriptions as a proportion of population jumped from 65 percent in 2007 to 79 percent in 2008. Pyramid expects the subscription base to grow at a 7.9 percent CAGR between 2008 and 2013, reaching 222 million mobile phone lines and 109 percent penetration by year-end 2013.

This would place Brazil's penetration rate above markets such as Mexico and Colombia, adds Faria. Following the 50 percent growth in mobile data average revenue per subscriber from 2007 to 2008, Pyramid expects data to continue increasing its relevance in the Brazilian mobile market, where ample room for growth is anticipated. Due to these increases, Pyramid revised its market size estimates going forward and anticipates data services, fixed and mobile, will boost the total market size despite the decrease in fixed and mobile voice revenue to reach nearly US$64 billion in 2013, equating to CAGR of 2.9 percent in the next five years.

Government involvement in the sector is promoted by Brazil's telecom regulator, Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicaçoes (Anatel), whose 2009-2010 agenda will focus on a thorough revision of the basic telecommunications law (Lei Geral das Telecomunicacoes, LGT), triggered by Oi's acquisition of Brasil Telecom. Anatel's agenda also includes overseeing MA activity, number portability, and WiMAX spectrum licensing.

Communications Markets in Brazil is part of Pyramid Research's Latin America Country Intelligence Report Series. Pyramid Research's premium Country Intelligence Reports are the industry's best available analysis on market trends, regulatory environments, and competitive dynamics for 60 countries worldwide.

Download an excerpt of this report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18sc=PR022609_CIRBR

Communications Markets in Brazil is priced at US$990 and can be purchased online here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/CIRBRAZIL.htm?sc=PR022609_CIRBR; or through Dave Williams via email at dave.williams@pyr.com or telephone at +1-858-485-8870.

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 US$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.

About TechWeb

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 US$2.5 billion.

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

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 US$2.5 billion.

Press contact: Jennifer Baker +1-617-871-1910 jbaker@pyr.com

Jennifer Baker, Pyramid Research, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com