100,000 subscribers sign up Orascom’s CHEO in its first year
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 100,000 subscribers have been added by CHEO Technology operating under the Koryolink brand in its first year and expect to add millions more in the next five years. CHEO Technology is the North Korean subsidiary of Egypt-based telecoms group Orascom Telecom.
Although the handset price of USD195 places wireless services out of the reach of the average citizen, the increasing subscription figures show that mobile phones are not limited to elite members of the military and communist party. Koryolink currently offers only a basic voice and SMS service while international calls and roaming are not provided by the operator.
A 25-year license to operate 3G services was awarded to Koryolink in January 2008, with the first four years on an exclusive basis. 75% of the company is owned by Orascom telecom and 25% by state-owned Korea Post and Telecoms Corporation.
Koryolink signs up 6,000 3G subscribers in 2weeks (North Korea)
Koryolink, North Korea’s very first 3G operator, signs up 6,000 subscribers within two weeks of its operation, The operator had started registration in January 2009. Koryolink is owned by Orascom Telecom Holding of Egypt (75%) and state-owned Korea Post and Telecoms Corporation (25%). According to Naguib Sawiris, chairman of Orascom Telecom, ‘So far we have about 6,000 applications. The important point is that they are normal citizens, not the privileged or military generals or party higher-ups. For the first time they have been able to go to a shop and get a mobile phone.’ The government levies heavy taxes on mobile handsets, taking the cost upto $600, making it unaffordable for the masses. Orascom is in talks with the government to reduce taxes.
