MTN teams up with MTV for youth documentary series (Africa)
MTN has joined forces with MTV Networks in a pan-African multimedia campaign designed to inspire African youth by connecting them with some of the world’s most influential personalities.
The companies are partnering to produce MTV Base Meets…with MTN, an eight-part TV series that creates a dialogue between young people and political, business and cultural leaders.
The documentary series will allow Africa’s young minds to put probing questions to influential, inspirational and sometimes controversial individuals.
Among the people who will feature in the series are Liberian President Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Africa’s first and only elected female head of state), Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and South African politician Julius Malema (President of the ANC Youth League).
A diverse panel of young people representing different youth interests will be assembled from across the African continent, with participants coming from Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda, among others.
African youth will be encouraged to nominate influencers and submit their proposed questions for the programme via a dedicated MTV base Meets…with MTN website or via their mobile handsets.
Comium Liberia offers prize giveaway (Liberia)
Comium Liberia is offering a new promotion to give away 10,000 prizes to its customers on a weekly basis.
Customers topping up for at least US$1 will be entered to win prizes including standing fans, tiger generators, rice, laptops, phones, cooking stoves and others.
Comium launches new discount promotion (Liberia)
Comium Liberia has launched a new discounted calls promotion that will increase competition in the domestic GSM market.
The cellco’s new plan offers its subscribers ‘free’ bonus on any call received from the networks of rival players MTN Liberia (Lonestar Communications), Cellcom Liberia and Atlantic Wireless Liberia (Libercell).
As per the plan, Comium is giving its users an US$0.03 bonus on every off-net call received, which it claims gives them the opportunity to call people on another network at a ‘discount’.
According to the compay, Comium’s latest initiative follows another promotion in which it cut the rates for voice calls made to other networks from US$0.15 to US$0.10 per minute some GSM rivals continue to charge the higher rate. Further, Comium had also introduced reduced international call rates to the US and other countries in Europe, bringing the cost down to US$0.05 per minute.
MTN-Orascom will be over twice the size of Airtel & Orange Africa.
MTN-Orascom’s joint subscriber base will surpass the 100 million mark if the deal goes through. This would mean that it will be over twice the size of Airtel Africa & Orange. MTN will get a boost of over 20 million subs from the Orascom deal.
That said, if a deal were to happen, here’s a quick analysis of whats for sale in the Orascom portfolio and why 2 assets are particularly interesting:
1. Djezzy in Algeria: Top line of $1.86 billion with a 46% market share (14.6 million subs) and a 57% EBITDA margin! This is the jewel in the crown. However, there is a downside here as well for some key reasons. Orascom’s relationship with the government and the regulator is strained and Q4 2009 results suffered on account of backdated taxes and penalties. Djezzy has actually seen market share decline by 5 percent and ARPU declined by 16% in 2009. Mobile penetration is in excess of 90% and Q-tel owned Njedma has proven to be an aggressive competitor. Numbers are big and exciting but the hay-days might just be getting over pretty soon though.
2. Tunisiana in Tunisia: Orascom owns half of Tunisiana alongside it’s arch rival in Algeria, Q-Tel (Wataniya) which owns the remaining 50 percent. With 53 percent market share (5.2 million subs) and 54% EBITDA margin this is another rock and roll story. However, with Orange launching and that too with an exclusive 3G license, pressures will build up sooner rather than later.
3. CellOne Namibia, Telecel Zimbabwe, Telecel Central African Republic & U-com Burundi together have 1.8 million subscribers and contribute only $81 million to the top line.
If the deal were to go through then Djezzy will be the third largest operation in the MTN-Orascom combine, after Nigeria and South Africa.
Here’s a snapshot of what the MTN-Orascom would look like (Figures are sourced from Wireless Intelligence)
MTN & IMI announce partnership
Millions of mobile and online content users across Africa and the Middle East will reap the benefits of a landmark tie-up between MTN and IMImobile – an India-based software and managed services provider linked to 350 content providers worldwide.
The two companies have teamed up in a bold move to address the growing demand for content in emerging markets. This strategic partnership will entail providing MTN’s 21 markets access to a repository of current and globally popular content through enhanced delivery platforms. Content categories will include music (with local and international flavour), sports, games, entertainment, news and much more.
It will also enable MTN to launch new income-generating voice and data services across its global footprint, with revenues from mobile content and services estimated at around US$150.2 billion in 2011, up from US$89,3 billion in 2006, worldwide. (more…)
MTN Partners With IMImobile in a Major Deal to Bring Mobile and Online Content to 103 Million Users
HYDERABAD, India and JOHANNESBURG – Millions of mobile and online content users across Africa and the Middle East will reap the benefits of a landmark tie-up between MTN and IMImobile – an India-based software and managed services provider linked to 350 content providers worldwide.
The two companies have teamed up in a bold move to address the growing demand for content in emerging markets. This strategic partnership will entail providing MTN’s 21 markets access to a repository of current and globally popular content through enhanced delivery platforms. Content categories will include music (with local and international flavour), sports, games, entertainment, news and much more.â€
It will also enable MTN to launch new income-generating voice and data services across its global footprint, with revenues from mobile content and services estimated at around US$150.2 billion in 2011, up from US$89,3 billion in 2006, worldwide.
One of MTN’s new content streams will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) of which the mobile operator has exclusive global mobile content rights. Accordingly, MTN will leverage its IMImobile partnership to deliver exclusive 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) content on subscribers’ handsets, including soccer match news, fixtures, match results as well as team and group profiles.
The appointment of IMImobile as a strategic managed services and hosting partner follows an extensive review of MTN’s mobile content and media services landscape across its global footprint.
MTN is now aligning its mobile content and media services strategy across its 21 markets in Africa and the Middle East to standardize and enhance its media content offerings to its subscribers.
MTN also wants to capitalize on the rapidly converging data content and voice market, with Africa, the Middle East and Latin America poised to witness the highest growth in revenue as additional mobile data services are being deployed in these regions.
Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN Group Corporate Affairs Executive, says IMImobile was selected from a group of major global telecom software and service providers because of the scalability of its technology platforms and proven managed services business model.
IMImobile’s value proposition and technology solutions will enable MTN to reduce the time-to-market for new services, boost Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and keep MTN at the forefront of innovative services.
We have found a partner in IMImobile that has the insight and expertise of the appropriate managed service business model and technology solution necessary to continue to deliver premium content and services to our customers,†said January-Bardill.
MTN has already introduced a number of exciting products and services on its portal and on www.mtnfootball.com during the FIFA Confederations Cup in June this year. This content is currently being archived to allow football fans to re-live the moment long after the games.
IMI mobile will deploy its Service Delivery Platform (SDP), including its industry leading DaVinci Content Management System (CMS). The content strategy includes tailoring content for local consumer preferences, including French and Arabic as well as exploiting MTN’s sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) through www.mtnfootball.com.
Vishwanath Alluri, Founder and CEO of IMImobile said: This is a major commercial milestone for IMImobile as we continue to build our offering to support leading operators worldwide. To be chosen by MTN as their strategic partner ahead of a strong list of competitors is testament to our unique service which is based on industry leading technology platforms, content management expertise, a managed services and SaaS business model combined with 24/7 technical support and strict SLA compliance. We are excited by the opportunity and are looking forward to helping MTN achieve its objectives of creating substantial additional revenue streams.â€
Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs
ABOUT THE MTN GROUP
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: MTNâ€. As at 30 June 2009, MTN recorded 103,2 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM) and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com.
ABOUT IMImobile
IMImobile is a leading provider of converged mobile and online technology platforms and content services to mobile operators and media companies around the world. The IMImobile product portfolio includes a core service delivery platform (DaVinci SDP), mobile advertising platform (Ad-Ring(TM)), carrier grade messaging platforms and gateways, applications for data services, full track music download services and voice platforms. Customers include leading operators and media companies such as Airtel, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Google, Reuters and Yahoo!. IMImobile is a profitable fast growing company with operations in 40 countries and offices in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.imimobile.com
Note to Editors:
The 16 countries IMImobile will be deploying its full CMS across are: Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic Conakry, Liberia, Afghanistan, Syria, Cyprus and Yemen.
IMImobile will directly connect its central platform in London to the existing CMS platforms of the following 5 countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Iran and Sudan
IMImobile contacts: Eleanor Filgate or K Simon at Babel PR T. +44(0)20-7434-5550 M. +44-7500-038-458 E. imimobile@babelpr.com W. www.babelpr.com MTN Group contacts: Maphamola Lebelo MTN Group Communications Mobile: +27-83-212-9918 Email: Lebelo_m@mtn.co.za
MTN launches Voice SMS service in Uganda
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN, one of the leading mobile carriers in Uganda, has launched Voice SMS service across the country, based on pioneering Voice SMS technology from Kirusa, the world’s leading vendor of Voice SMS and a leading developer of mobile value added services. MTN Voice SMS offering in Uganda is bolstered by additional innovative features like Scheduling and Dynamic Group Voice SMS.
Voice SMS allows the subscribers to send messages by voice, eliminating the need to type. It enables the subscribers to communicate faster, easier, and with added personal touch by conveying emotions, to their friends, relatives and colleagues. The Voice SMS service has achieved a vast acceptance across the globe for its benefits in surpassing the limitations of text messages.
MTN subscribers need to dial ‘*’ followed by the number of the person they wish to send the message to, and speak a short message for up to 30 seconds in any language. A recipient on MTN network gets a notification message from the sender and can click on a DirectListen(TM) number for direct access and reply to the Voice SMS left for him. He can also dial *0* to hear new voice messages, or retrieve previously listened voice messages by dialing *1*. Voice SMS messages can be replied to, forwarded, saved, or deleted. (more…)
MTN launches voice SMS solution for Uganda subscribers on Kirusa Platform
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN, one of the leading mobile carriers in Uganda, has launched Voice SMS service across the country, based on pioneering Voice SMS technology from Kirusa, the world’s leading vendor of Voice SMS and a leading developer of mobile value added services. MTN Voice SMS offering in Uganda is bolstered by additional innovative features like Scheduling and Dynamic Group Voice SMS.
Voice SMS allows the subscribers to send messages by voice, eliminating the need to type. It enables the subscribers to communicate faster, easier, and with added personal touch by conveying emotions, to their friends, relatives and colleagues. The Voice SMS service has achieved a vast acceptance across the globe for its benefits in surpassing the limitations of text messages.
MTN subscribers need to dial ‘*’ followed by the number of the person they wish to send the message to, and speak a short message for up to 30 seconds in any language. A recipient on MTN network gets a notification message from the sender and can click on a DirectListen(TM) number for direct access and reply to the Voice SMS left for him. He can also dial *0* to hear new voice messages, or retrieve previously listened voice messages by dialing *1*. Voice SMS messages can be replied to, forwarded, saved, or deleted.
MTN subscribers pay a price as low as of UGX.90 (approximately 0.04 USD) for sending a Voice SMS. MTN plans to shortly offer several enhanced Voice SMS services for its enterprise customers.
(more…)
LTA concludes licensing agreement with LoneStar (Liberia)
www.WirelessFederation,com/news: The re-licensing process of LoneStar Cell has been completed by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). This completion was a result of long-running and sometimes hostile discussion between the LTA and the country’s GSM operators over licensing standardisation in the country.
LTA has reportedly issued LoneStar with separate licences for GSM and Wimax. As per the terms, the incumbent has to pay USD 20 million for the two licences, which are valid for 15 years. Further, LTA is hoping to conclude similar licensing agreements with Liberia’s other GSM service providers Cellcom, Comium and Libercell.
MTN pilots mobile banking service in 5 countries (Africa)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN, African mobile operator is piloting mobile money transfer service in Benin, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry and Liberia. The company said the pilots are aimed at finalising the systems and operational processes in preparation for the commercial launch.
MTN is in partnership with local banks to ensure that its services are fully compliant with financial services regulations. To meet the regulatory requirements, MTN is in talks with relevant authorities in various countries. MTN said that the successful launch of Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) in Uganda marks the beginning of a series of planned launches across its operations in Africa and Middle East. Non MTN user, i.e. those who do not have MTN Sim cards or even a phone can still receive money from MTN Mobile Money users and send money through a network of agents in their country.
