Research and Markets: 1Q 2009 Belgium Mobile Operator Forecast for 2008-2013 - Base Will Replace Mobistar as the Second Largest Operator in Belgium's Mobile Operator Space in 2012

Business Wire, Feb 17, 2009

DUBLIN -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/17dc84/1q09_belgium_mobil) has announced the addition of IE Market Research Corp.'s new report "1Q09 Belgium Mobile Operator Forecast, 2008 - 2013: Base will replace Mobistar as the second largest operator after Proximus in Belgium's mobile operator space in 2012" to their offering.

Mobile Operator Forecast on Belgium provides over 65 operational and financial metrics for Belgium's wireless market and is one of the best forecasts in the industry. We provide six-year forecasts at the operator level going out to 2013. We also provide quarterly historical and forecast data starting in 1Q2003 and ending in 4Q2013. Operators covered for Belgium include Proximus, Mobistar (Orange), and Base. Our Mobile Operator Forecasts are updated quarterly and are available for one-time delivery or through regular updates.

Global Mobile Operator Forecast covers up to 65 operational metrics of 200 mobile operators in 50 countries, making up 80% of the world's population. Our forecasts are based on our proprietary, country-specific forecasting models. These models deploy multiple regression analysis and cross-impact matrices that estimate relationships between subscriber data, technology use and deployment data, overall economic and demographic changes expected in a particular country; and relate these to company operational and financial metrics.

Executive Summary:

* Subscriber growth slowing down in Belgium 7.5% industry-average subscriber growth in 3Q.2008

* ARPU levels continue declining in Belgiums mobile operator space

* 11.2% operator-wide average ARPU growth in 3Q.2008

* Minutes of Use per Subscriber are stabilizing 2.0% industry average MOU/Sub growth in 3Q.2008

* EBITDA levels continue to fall in Belgium

* 4% industry average EBITDA growth in 3Q.2008

So what is IEMR's Forecast?

Total subscriber accounts in Belgium to reach 12 million in 2013

* Our model predicts that subscriber accounts at Proximus, Mobistar, and Base will be approximately 4.54 million, 3.66 million, and 3.84 million respectively in 2013.

Proximus and Mobistar to lose market shares to Base in Belgium's mobile operator space

* We expect that Proximus will see its subscriber market share decrease from 41.5% in 2009 to 37.7% in 2013.

* In contrast, Base, a subsidiary of the Dutch telecommunications company KPN, will increase its market share from 27.4% in 2009 to 31.9% in 2013.

ARPUs in Belgium will continue to decline from 2009 to 2013

* Mobistars ARPU level will remain the highest in the country even as it falls from euro29.90 in 2009 to euro27.15 in 2013.

EBITDA margins to decrease slightly over the next five years

* The largest operator, Proximus, will continue to enjoy the highest level of profitability with an EBITDA margin moving from 45.8% in 2009 to 42.9% in 2013.

* Mobistars EBITDA margin will fall from 40.8% to 39.4% while that of Base falls from 35.3% to 34.4% over the forecast period, 2009 - 2013.

Companies Mentioned:

* Proximus

* Mobistar (Orange)

* Base

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/17dc84/1q09_belgium_mobil