The number of mobile phone users in North Korea jumped nearly fivefold in 2010 to exceed 430,000, nearly 2 percent of its population, Orascom Telecom, the sole telecom operator in the communist country.

The Egypt-based wireless carrier said in its annual report that North Korean subscribers totaled 431,919 in December last year, an increase of 470 percent from 91,704 in the same month in 2009.

Its sales revenue in the North also rose by 156 percent to $664 million.

The mobile service in the country is offered by Koryo Link, a joint venture between Orascom and the government. It has 18 branches in Pyongyang and eight more in other major cities.

The growing popularity is attributed to a new affordable service package for low-income earners introduced during the second quarter.

About half of its revenue came from outside Pyongyang in September, the firm said.

It plans to provide more value-added services this year after its video call service introduced in the third quarter proved popular among younger users.

The mobile phone penetration rate in the country is expected to reach 91 percent by the end of this year.

Kang, Yoon-seung (koreacolin@gmail.com) Intern reporter