Orange anticipates 3G subscribers to triple by year-end
Orange Jordan is reportedly anticipating the number of 3G users on its network to triple by the end of this year.
According to Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) CEO Nayla Khawam, the group will soon embark on expanding 3G services to cover all populated areas in the country. The firm launched the 3G services in March last year.
He added that by the end of 2011, the company expects the number of 3G services users on the network to hit 1 million. Orange Jordan’s internet users, which reached over 300,000 by the end of 2010, should exceed 500,000 by the end of 2011, after the operator boosted double-digit broadband speeds.
According to Khawam, Orange Jordan’s market share in the internet sector ranges from 60-70 percent. She indicated that the group’s investments this year will be worth around US$70 million.
Jordan Telecom net profit drops by 11.3%
Jordan Telecom Group, the country’s sole fixed-line operator revealed that its net profit in the first nine months of 2010 fell 11.3% to US$97.24 million.
France Telecom owns 51% stake in the company. And as per the company, the revenue of its mobile and fixed-line business fell 1.5% to US$447 million compared to the previous year. Company’s data services rose 38% to US$280.2 million.
The group has over 700,000 landlines and a mobile subsidiary Orange that has over 30% market penetration with over two million subscribers.
The mobile phone market has seen a violent grass war with its main competitor, Kuwait telecom operator Zain’s wholly owned Jordanian subsidiary.
Zain is the largest mobile operator in Jordan with around 2.5 million subscribers and a market share of 42% in a market with almost 100% penetration.
Jordan govt’s decision to raise tax criticized by telcos
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Government’s plan to increase taxes on mobile phone services has been severely criticized by the wireless network operators in Jordan. Currently, the tax paid by the telecom industry is equivalent to 58% of its revenue to the government. The latest tax is an increase in the special cellular phone tax from 4% to 8%.
16% in sales taxes, 24% income tax on profits and 10% on their total revenues is paid by the operators in total along with a newly raised special phone tax of 8%. According to Raslan Diranieh, chief financial officer of the Jordan Telecom Group, the increase in the tax will certainly have a negative impact on the telecom sector and whenever the government wants to increase tax, it thinks of the telecom sector because it is faster and easier to collect the tax, and there are zero efforts involved in the process.
Rival Zain also considers the government’s decision to be shocking and negative. The government on the other hand explains that in light of the current difficult economic situations it is best for all to direct their spending towards essential items rather than luxury items.
Jordan Telecom Group concludes its re-branding with Orange mobile services(Jordan)
Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) has announced the full introduction (or complete roll out) of Orange comprehensive services in the Kingdom with the re-branding of MobileCom, the Group’s GSM operator, under the Orange brand, the commercial brand of the world’s leading telecommunication service operator France Telecom Group (FTG).
The announcement was made during a press meeting held at the Group’s headquarters on August 11th, 2007 attended by Chairman of the Board of Directors of JTG Dr Shabib Ammari, and Vice President / JTG CEO Mobile Business Unit Majd Shweikeh.
With this move, Orange becomes the sole commercial brand for JTG’s fixed, mobile, and internet services,†said Ammari. Our customers will be enjoying Orange’s competitive range of telecom solutions and top quality services, enjoying the premium offering that will meet their needs to full satisfaction through this single and reputable provider,†added Ammari.
For her part, Shweikeh said: Jordan has now concluded its process of joining the Orange family; one of the leading providers of convergent telecommunications services in the world and globally known for the leading integrated packages it offersâ€. Shweikeh added that the Group’s customers will share the unique Orange experience, connecting with 100 million other customers spread over 220 countries and territories across the globe.
With this announcement, JTG’s mobile customers who account for around 1.8 million have joined the family of over 100 million Orange mobile users worldwide.
Customers will now feel the difference whenever they visit one of our shops that are spread across the Kingdom as Orange places its customers on top of its priorities giving them one-of-a-kind experience. Our staff is well trained to fulfill their needs and exceed their expectations by communicating and offering visitors first-class telecom solutions,†said Shweikeh who also highlighted the big role this step will play in enhancing the leading position of the Group’s GSM operator.
JTG’s GSM operator, formerly known as MobileCom, is a leading wireless provider in the Kingdom with (please add number) customers. It combines local Jordanian capability with the technological advantages and network management experience of France Telecom, its strategic partner.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
The GSM arm of JTG was first registered on 21st September, 1999, with an aim to build a new, highly advanced, mobile communications network to serve the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and has launched full public service across the Kingdom on 15th September, 2000. The infrastructure was built using the most advanced technology available on the market today and is provided by the global leader in GSM networking equipment, Ericsson.
Investments made by the Group’s GSM operator positively affected the Kingdom on a number of levels, extending its commitment to the development of the local economy, the creation of an advanced mobile communication infrastructure as well as developing the community and ICT industry in terms of education and human resources.
The company is committed to the Kingdom and the people of Jordan. Its objective is to bring about a wave of vibrant transformation and growth to the telecommunications sector, the most important industry in today’s truly global environment.
This is another milestone for JTG where a promise of providing better telecommunications services is accomplished, thus contributing towards the achievement of His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision in making Jordan a regional ICT hub,†concluded Ammari.
About Orange:
Orange is the key brand of France Telecom Group, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with over 153 million customers in 220 countries worldwide.
In June 2006, as part of France Telecom Group’s integrated operator strategy to deliver simple convergent products, Orange became the single brand for mobile, internet and TV offers in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Spain, strengthening Orange’s position as the number two mobile and internet services brand in Europe. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions and services.
Since its launch in 1994 in the UK market, Orange has been synonymous with making mobile communications an intuitive part of everyday life. Today the home of Orange has become Paris following their acquisition by France Telecom in August 2000. However, Orange is widely perceived as a global international brand stretching across the world.
In 2007, Orange was launched in Jordan through Jordan Telecom Group (JTG), providing integrated fixed, mobile, internet and content services.
