Turkcell expands subscriber base to 19.7 million in Q1

In the first quarter of 2004, Turkcell’s number of postpaid subscribers climbed to 4.9 million and the number of prepaid subscribers reached 14.8 million. Turkcell’s net new additions totaled 677,948 by an increase of 15% compared to 588,687 in the first quarter of 2003. New gross subscribers acquired in the first quarter of 2004 consisted of 15% postpaid and 85% prepaid, which changed in favor of postpaid subscribers from 11% in the fourth quarter.

Mr. Muzaffer Akpinar, CEO, stated, "Turkcell’s success in attracting new subscribers continued in the first quarter of 2004. The growth in the first quarter of 2004 was in line with our expectations, which was better than the first quarter of 2003. Considering Turkcell’s Customer Relationship Management, churn prevention efforts coupled with the market conditions and favorable macroeconomic developments, we have a positive outlook for 2004."

Turkcell had revenues of US$2,219 million during the nine month period ended December 31, 2003. The company has interests in international GSM operations in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Northern Cyprus, which have a total of 2.4 million subscribers.