The Russians have been buying fewer cell phones and more SIM-cards.

In 2008, the Russian retail company sold about 32 million cell phones, Kommersant daily, referring to the data analysis of Mobile Research Group.
According to the Mobile Research Group, in December 2008 had been sold 4.1 million phones, instead of previously planned 7.5 million. At the same time in 2007, according to Euroset, Russia has sold 32.45 million mobile phones.
The main reason for the decline of sales of mobile phones in Russia analysts called the almost total refusal of banks to provide loans for the purchase of cell phones. In doing so, about a quarter of all mobile phones in Russia are sold on credit.
In addition, analysts noted a 30 per cent drop in demand due to economic crisis and the weakening of the ruble. In some regions, the decline in demand has reached 70 percent.
In line with the forecast of Mobile Research Group, in 2009, sales of mobile phones in Russia will decrease by 25-30 percent. Total for the current year will be sold around 24 million phones.
Despite the drop in demand for cellular phones, the subscriber base of Russian cellular operators continue to grow. According to AC & M-Consulting, in December 2008, Russia has sold 3.5 million SIM-cards, which is 1.9 percent more than in December 2007. At the end of 2008 in Russia, there were 187.8 million active SIM-cards, which is 8.6 percent higher than a year ago.