OREANDA-NEWS. November 09, 2010. Eesti Telekom subsidiaries EMT and Elion experienced considerable increase in number of both mobile and fixed broadband users in third quarter, reported the press-centre of Eesti Telekom.

The number of EMT’s mobile Internet users grew over the year by 21,000. Compared to the same period last year, this is more than 40% increase in the number of such users in EMT’s client base. In terms of the most capacious Internet packages, annual growth has been 63%. In the third quarter, new internet packages based on speed were launched and this has resulted in rapid increase in the number of Internet users. Also, the number of EMT’s contractual customers increased by 11,000 YoY, reaching 496,000.

The number of Elion’s fixed-line Internet users grew by 7,100 in one year, reaching 186,000. Elion maintained its market share (estimated at approximately 52%) in broadband services. The number of Elion digital television users grew by 6,500 YoY. By the end of the quarter, Elion had 120,000 digiTV users. Thus, Elion’s market share in cable television market increased by 2%, reaching 37% at the end of September. In terms of number of customers, Elion is the biggest provider of digital television in Estonia and the second-biggest operator on the cable TV market.

Both EMT and Elion continued to invest in fixed-line and mobile broadband connections. EMT continues to develop the most extensive 3.5G coverage area in the country by broadening 3.5G network in all counties. By the end of 2010, EMT 3.5G will cover 60% of Estonia and will reach 90% of the population. Currently, EMT 3.5G is available to approximately one million people in 100 cities and populated areas.  Preparations are ongoing for the launch of the 4G network, which will be possible once the state issues 4G licenses. EMT launched Estonia’s first 4G test network already in February this year.

Elion invested over EEK 94.5mln in third quarter. Most of the investments were directed to development of fiber optic cable network in Tallinn and Tartu. Project „Fiber for the Home“ began early this year and during the next five years, at least 1,000 apartment buildings a year will be equipped with contemporary fiber optics network. By the end of the third quarter, 145,000 homes in Estonia were already connected to fiber optics network. Fiber optics network provides HD channels and Elion’s internet with the speed of 100 Mbit/s. The range of services which require large data transmissions will expand in the future.

Notable Q3 export activities of Eesti Telekom’s subsidiary, MicroLink, include the launch of major consultation projects in Tyumen district. MicroLink has developed a good cooperation in the field of IT management with Open Text partners in Russia, Ukraine and Slovenia. Open Text has displayed trust in MicroLink’s activities and knowledge by contracting MicroLink’s training courses in Moscow for the fall of 2010.

TeliaSonera completed the acquisition of AS Eesti Telekom in 2009 and consequently 2009 and 2010 are in financial terms transition years for AS Eesti Telekom. During the transition period, financial results are not directly comparable to previous reports. TeliaSonera results for 2009 and 2010 Q3 in mobility and broadband areas cannot be compared to AS Eesti Telekom annual and intermediate reports for 2008 and 2009 for EMT, Elion and MicroLink, because TeliaSonera’s annual and intermediate reports for broadband and mobility areas include AS Eesti Telekom’s reports with the results of AS Eesti Telekom and its subsidiary AS MicroLink.