www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Orascom Telecom has reported that its mobile subscribers in North Korea nearly doubled in Q2′09 even though the ARPU dipped. Koryolink, in which Orascom owns a majority stake, ended June with 47,863 subscribers, twice more than what the operator had at April-end, when the total stood at 19,208, said Orascom.
Koryolink runs on a 3G WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology and is the only operator in the country open to individual subscribers.
During Q2′09, the operator posted an ARPU of US$22.80, down from $24.70 in Q1′09. While EBITDA stood at $2.5 million.
On 08.27.09, In Mobile, By Editor
On 06.09.09, In Mobile, By Editor
Alfa, the Lebanese mobile operator managed since Feb 1, 2009 by Orascom Telecom, leader mobile operator in the MENA region and South Asia, announced that since June 1, 2009, all its subscribers can keep themselves updated with the most current local and international news by getting breaking news headlines on their mobile for free. This service will be provided by Alfa in collaboration with Naharnet and AFP.
The first 90.000 subscribers to sign up to this service will be granted 1st month free of charge by simply replying by a SMS to the number 1018. They will be only charged the cost of the SMS which is 0.09$.
The subscribers will be able to choose their preferred language by texting the letter A for Arabic and E for English.To end their subscription to this service, users can text the letter C or the word “Cancel” to the number 1018. (more…)
On 05.28.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Koryolink, the Korean 3G mobile operator has posted a subscriber base of 19,208 at the end of Q1′09. The operator had launched its services on 15 December 2008. Koryolink earned revenues of USD 4.4 million and EBITDA of USD 0.3 million in Q1. ARPU reached USD 24.7, and minutes of use were at an average 146/subscriber.
Koryolink has installed its 3G network to initially cover the capital Pyongyang, which has a population of more than 2 million. The operator plans to extend the network to cover the entire country.
On 05.15.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Alfa, the mobile operator, announced a new offer on Alfa Active prepaid lines, whereby 60 local free SMS will be granted to every Alfa Active user who has bought a prepaid line from the 1st until the 28th of April, 2009.
Starting the first of May 2009, Alfa will be sending a short message (SMS) informing the winners about the availability of their 60 free local SMS. In addition, the winners will be receiving sequentially other short messages from Alfa informing them about their remaining credit of free local SMS.
About Alfa
Alfa is the brand name of one of the two Lebanese mobile networks owned by the Republic of Lebanon. Alfa is managed by Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) starting February 1, 2009.
About Orascom Telecom
Orascom Telecom is a leading international telecommunications company operating GSM networks in high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, having a total population under license of approximately 453 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of September 30th, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“banglalink”), Zimbabwe (“Telecel Zimbabwe”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic and Namibia. Orascom Telecom had over 79 million subscribers as of September 30th, 2008.
Orascom Telecom is traded on the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange under the symbol (ORTE.CA, ORAT EY), and on the London Stock Exchange its GDR is traded under the symbol.
On 05.12.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Telecel Globe, a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E., announced today that it has acquired the mobile telecommunications operator Cell One in Namibia.
Namibia is amongst the wealthiest countries in sub-Saharan Africa with a GDP/capita of US$ 5,200 (at PPP). It has a population of approximately 2.1 million and a mobile penetration of close to 50% at the end of 2008. Cell One operates a GSM 900/1800 network and has 198,000 active subscribers and over 20% market share.
The total consideration is approximately US$59 million in cash, of which US$32 million already paid and the balance due in January 2010. The debt assumed as part of this transaction is non-recourse on Telecel Globe. (more…)
On 05.01.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Alfa, the mobile operator, announced that it is keeping on strengthening its network in all Lebanon by installing 13 new radio Stations since the 23rd of April 2009 in the different regions in addition to the 54 radio stations installed progressively since the first of February 2009 in different locations, in order to enhance the quality of services, improve the network coverage and increase its capacity to support the subscribers’ traffic and growth.
In compliance with this strategy, the company has installed the new stations as follows:
- 3 radio stations in Batroun
- 1 radio station in Fiyadieh (Liwaa Daem)
- 1 radio station in Mazraa (Mar Elias Street)
- 1 radio station in Hay Selom (Beirut Southern Suburb)
- 1 radio station in Dedde (North)
- 1 radio station in Jdita (Zahle)
- 1 radio station in Jieh (South)
- 1 radio station in Aabra (Jezzine)
- 1 radio station in Frydis (Chouf)
- 1 radio station in ABC Dbayeh
- 1 radio station in Naher el Kalb (between Metn & Keserwan)
About Alfa
Alfa is the brand name of one of the two Lebanese mobile networks owned by the Republic of Lebanon.
Alfa is managed by Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) starting February 1, 2009. Alfa capitalizes on its expertise in the telecom field in order to deliver a global and professional solution for the GSM sector in Lebanon. Its main target is to reach one million subscribers by end of 2009.
For more information visit www.alfa.com.lb
About Orascom Telecom
Orascom Telecom is a leading international telecommunications company operating GSM networks in high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, having a total population under license of approximately 453 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of September 30th, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“banglalink”), Zimbabwe (“Telecel Zimbabwe”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic and Namibia. Orascom Telecom had over 79 million subscribers as of September 30th, 2008.
Orascom Telecom is traded on the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange under the symbol, and on the London Stock Exchange its GDR is traded under the symbol. For more information visit: www.orascomtelecom.com
On 04.09.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Alfa, the mobile operator, announced that it has launched its new service “Pick your Line Online” as of 3rd of April 2009. This service will give Alfa’s customers the freedom to book a postpaid Classic mobile number via internet through the operator’s website: www.alfa.com.lb. Currently, the available numbers fall under the range of 70-4. After the customer reserves the line, he will receive an e-mail or a SMS within one week, confirming the availability of the line that he can purchase at any of the company’s points of sale. And in case the mobile number is not available the customer will receive a written apology within the same deadline.
In parallel to the new offers that were introduced lately, Alfa has also launched an extensive upgrading and modernization process including the installation of new base transmission stations all over Lebanon.Alfa is planning to increase its customer base by an additional 400,000 as part of a rapid and committed expansion plan to reach 1 million subscribers by the end of 2009.
About Alfa
Alfa is the brand name of one of the two Lebanese mobile networks owned by the Republic of Lebanon.Alfa is managed by Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) starting February 1, 2009. Alfa capitalizes on its expertise in the telecom field in order to deliver a global and professional solution for the GSM sector in Lebanon. Its main target is to reach one million subscribers by end of 2009.
For more information visit www.alfa.com.lb
About Orascom Telecom
Orascom Telecom is a leading international telecommunications company operating GSM networks in high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, having a total population under license of approximately 453 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of September 30th, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“banglalink”), Zimbabwe (“Telecel Zimbabwe”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic and Namibia. Orascom Telecom had over 79 million subscribers as of September 30th, 2008.
On 03.17.09, In Mobile, By Editor
In compliance with the comprehensive strategy that it has recently started to implement aiming at providing its subscribers with state of the art services and attractive offers, Alfa, the mobile operator, announces new offers and privileges.
Thus, Alfa is now granting its customers who are purchasing a new line for the new price of 50 USD instead of 100 USD, an international access, without the need for any deposits, subscription or activation fees.
Furthermore, Alfa is offering the same privilege to all the customers who wish to migrate from a prepaid line (Alfa active) to a postpaid one (Alfa Classic), noting that the migration procedure is now free of charge.
And it is worth mentioning that starting the first of March 2009, Alfa has lowered the monthly subscription fee to15 USD instead of 25 USD, and the air time rate to 0.11 USD per minute instead of 0.13 per minute. Also the tariffs on international calls were also reduced with effect from March 1, 2009.
Mr. Samer Salameh, Chairman and CEO of Alfa, highlighted the company’s initiatives in the Lebanese market. He said: “Here comes an additional offer that aims at providing best added value to our customers and that is meant to accelerate the growth of the Lebanese mobile sector. We believe that these offers will create a new trend in this sector, impact user behavior and be the driving force behind its new revival”.
In parallel with the new added value offers that were introduced lately, Alfa has also launched an extensive upgrading process that will lead to the expansion of the network and more reduced tariffs in the coming months.
Alfa is planning to increase its customer base by an additional 400,000 as part of a rapid and committed expansion plan to reach 1 million subscribers by the end of 2009.
About Alfa
Alfa is the brand name of one of the two Lebanese mobile networks owned by the Republic of Lebanon. Alfa is managed by Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) starting February 1, 2009.
Alfa capitalizes on its expertise in the telecom field in order to deliver a global and professional solution for the GSM sector in Lebanon. Its main target is to reach one million subscribers by end of 2009.
For more information visit www.alfa.com.lb
About Orascom Telecom
Orascom Telecom is a leading international telecommunications company operating GSM networks in high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, having a total population under license of approximately 453 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of September 30th, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“banglalink”), Zimbabwe (“Telecel Zimbabwe”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic and Namibia. Orascom Telecom had over 79 million subscribers as of September 30th, 2008.
On 02.06.09, In Mobile, By Editor
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.