OREANDA-NEWS. On May 15, 2009 Mobile services operator life:) announced its financial and operational results for the first quarter of 2009. life:) became the only GSM operator that managed to increase its subscriber and UAH revenue in the situation of macroeconomic instability in Ukraine, reported the press-centre of life:).

In Q1 2009 life:)’s subscriber base reached 11.5 million with a market share of 21.1% and growth of 22.3% on an annual basis. life:) has added around 1% of market share within just one quarter being the only GSM operator on the market that is growing its subscriber base.

Three month active subscriber base grew by 37.9% year on year and reached 70% of the total subscriber base. Both yearly and quarterly life:) was the only operator which increased its three month active subscriber number.

life:) recorded a positive EBITDA of US3.6 million during the first quarter. The decline compared to the previous quarter was mainly due to increasing operational expenses. In Q1 life:) spent US42.2 million in capital expenditure.

life:) has given more optimism as compared to the overall market trend regarding the revenue indicator. Despite the overall drop of the market, life:)’s revenue has been growing in UAH and declined by just 12.3% in USD. In Q1 2009 life:) has recorded US\\$79,1 million revenue and was growing its revenue share.

The General Director of life:) Tansu Yegen has commented: “The first quarter of 2009 has been very challenging for the economy of Ukraine whilst the worsening macroeconomic situation has seriously affected the business.

The national currency depreciated by around 52% against USD as of March 31, 2009 compared to a year ago although remained stable compared to the previous quarter. Still the negotiations with IMF have gone in the right direction and the recently announced news on the second tranche of the IMF loan to Ukraine allows us to assume that new opportunities may arise for the country. In this respect business in Ukraine may hope for the enhancing stability and minimization of the affects of the turmoil”.