* Sets mobile ops EBITDA margin target of at least 30 pct
* Aims for bigger share of Swedish postpaid market
* Russia to be more profitable
* Shares down 2.2 percent (Adds company comment, updates share price)
By Helena Soderpalm
STOCKHOLM, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Swedish telecom firm Tele2 set a new core profit target for its mobile operations on Thursday and lifted its sights for its Russian and Swedish units.
Tele2 said that its mobile operations on networks which it owns should have an EBITDA margin in the mid-30's percent or higher over the long term.
Its two biggest markets, Sweden and Russia, had EBITDA margins of 32 percent and 40 percent respectively in the second quarter.
In Sweden, however, Tele2 said its margin would fall next year as the company looks to increase market share among premium customers.
Tele2's operations in France, Norway and Holland are on shared networks.
Tele2 also said it was considering options for Tele2 France.
"Things aren't going to continue as they are today," Henrik Ringmar, head of Western European operations said, referring to the French unit.
Shares in Tele2 were down 2.2 percent at 95.90 crowns at 1431 GMT, underperforming the wider Stockholm market.
RUSSIA
Tele2 has sold off a number of assets in recent years, including operations in France, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, focusing much of its effort on Russia.
In Russia, Tele2 expects to grow its subscriber base to 18-19 million by year-end 2011, thanks to roll-outs in new regions. At the end of June it had 12.4 million users.
Russia accounted for about 26 percent of core profit in the second quarter.
Tele2 said the EBITDA margin for total Russian operations should grow from 25 percent to 30 percent between 2010 and 2011.
The EBITDA margin of regions where it already has operations should rise from 40 percent to 45 percent between 2010 and 2011, while the margin in new regions should reach break-even two years from commercial launch.
Between 2010 and 2011, accumulated capital expenditures for the total Russian operations will be in the range of 4.5 billion to 5 billion Swedish crowns ($658-$731 million).
In Sweden, Tele2 said it aimed to raise its market share among premium customers who receive monthly bills, rather than those who buy pre-paid cards.
It said this would lead to higher customer acquisition costs meaning that the EBITDA in Sweden would drop to around 30 percent in 2010.
"I strongly believe that the long-term benefits will significantly offset the short-term investments in a higher-value customer base," Chief Executive Harri Koponen said in a statement.
(Editing by Simon Jessop and Elaine Hardcastle)