Tim Participacoes S.A. (TSU)

TIM Participacoes SA was organized under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The Company was incorporated on May 22, 1998 under the name Tele Celular Sul Participacoes S.A., which was later changed to TIM Participacoes S.A. on August 30, 2004. It mainly uses the global system for mobile communications technology, or GSM, to provide mobile telecommunications services throughout Brazil. In four of it areas it still offers time-division multiple access technology, or TDMA, in addition to GSM. The Company offers value-added services, including short message services or text messaging, multimedia messaging services, push-mail, Blackberry service (the first provider in Brazil to do so), video call, turbo mail, WAP downloads, web browsing, business data solutions, songs, games, TV access, voice mail, conference calling, chats and other content and services. It provides interconnection services to fixed line and mobile service providers as well. In 2008, after obtaining the authorization to use 3G technology nationwide, the Company has been able to offer its customers third generation services, such as broad band internet access and TV. This technology is already made available in the main Brazilian cities, covering approximately 38% of its client base, and is soon to be offered in other locations. With the implementation of fixed telephony services in September 2008, the Company has become a comprehensive telecom services provider - the only one in the wireless industry. The Company offers long distance services to its customers throughout Brazil through its wholly-owned subsidiary TIM Celular. This service allows its mobile customers the option of continuing to use its service for long distance calls. It offers a diverse portfolio of approximately 74 handset models from several handset manufacturers, including Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony and Ericsson, for sale through its dealer network, which includes its own stores, exclusive franchises, authorized dealers and department stores. The Company is focused on offering an array of handsets with enhanced functionality for value-added services, including handsets that make 3G, GPRS, EDGE, MMS, MP3, tri-band, infra-red, Bluetooth, browsers, internet, e-mail and Java available, while reducing reliance on the subsidies for handsets that have characterized the Brazilian market. The Company's wireless networks use only digital technologies, mainly GSM, and cover approximately 93% of the urban Brazilian population based to Anatel's coverage criteria. In four areas, in addition to GSM it offers TDMA, a technology that divides radio spectrum into assigned time slots to transmit signals. It has two major competitors in Brazil: Vivo and Claro. The Company's business is subject to extensive government regulation, including any changes that might occur during the period of its concession to provide telecommunication services.