Asiacell expects 30% rise in the revenue this year (Iraq)

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 30% increase in the revenue is expected by Iraqi mobile operator Asiacell this year as a result of demand from an influx of foreigners working in the oil sector. According to Asiacell CEO Diar Ahmed, turnover will rise to between USD1.4 billion and USD1.5 billion in 2010, compared to USD1.1 billion a year earlier, despite a global downturn and a tough investment climate.

Asiacell Communications is a consortium comprising Asiacell Iraq owning 30% stake, Qatar Telecom or Qtel with 30% stake and investment group Merchant Bridge with 40%.

He also announced that Asiacell signed up almost half of the two million new subscribers in Iraq in 2009 and growth is expected to accelerate as the private sector plays a wider role in an improved regulatory climate. The government of the country is planning to license a fourth national operator, in which the Ministry of Communications (MoC) would have a 35% stake.

Ahmed feels that the entry of the MoC as a competitor will create a conflict of interest because the government cannot be an operator and regulator and competitor at the same time.