MobiFone

Axiata Bangladesh & Vietnam’s MobiFone plan IPO

On 02.11.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With the return of confidence in the share market, Axiata Bangladesh and Vietnam’s MobiFone- two leading mobile operators in developing Asia- have started preparing for IPO. Aktel which is the third largest operator, with 9.3 million customers at end-December is owned by Axiata and its listing, comes amid huge demand for stock in the no. 1 cellco GrameenPhone.

According to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman, Ziaul Haque Khondker, as price volatility in Grameenphone shares has appeared during the last few days’ trading; the commission has stopped the financial adjustment facilities to bring back stability in prices of the company.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s dominant cellco MobiFone has taken its long-delayed IPO plans off the backburner, reportedly hiring Credit Suisse to manage its local listing.

MobiFone reports 52% rise in revenue (Vietnam)

On 02.09.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 52 % year-on-year rise in revenue in the year ended December 31, 2009, has been reported by Vietnam’s second largest wireless operator by subscribers, MobiFone, reaching VND27.4 trillion (USD1.48 billion).

However, pre-tax profit of the company fell 3.4% compared to 2008 to VND5.6 trillion. The net income of the company is not yet declared. The company is targeting revenue of VND34 trillion in 2010. According to the MobiFone, it is quickly preparing for the privatization process this year in an attempt to improve competitiveness.

It was revealed in 2008 that that in an initial public offering (IPO), 15% tranche would be sold to a strategic investor and 15% to the public. Even after IPO, 19% of the stake might also be sold reducing state-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications’ (VNPT’s) stake to 51%.

Tagged with: ASIA • initial public offering • IPO • MobiFone • Net Income • operator • Vietnam

SingTel plans to float Optus share as Australian IPO

On 01.15.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With an aim to raise about A$4 billion, 25% stake of Australian unit Optus is planned to be sold by Singapore Telecommunications Ltd through an initial public offering in Australia. Southeast Asia’s largest telecommunications firm by revenue, Singtel, acquired Optus in 2001 through a bid valuing the Australian telecommunications firm at A$17 billion.

Though Optus is a cash cow for SingTel, 23.0% loss was incurred in the second fiscal quarter compared with 23.2% at the same time a year earlier. The company revenue was 27.8% in the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year ended March 31.

The pressure will further intensify with the entry of Vodafone Hutchison in the Australian market. In order to deal with the rising competition, the operator is set to create a cash war-chest for acquisitions and expansion in markets outside Australia and Singapore.

According to Singtel, it is evaluating investment opportunities in China and is also interested in taking a stake in Vietnam’s MobiFone.

Tagged with: ASIA • Australia • China • Hutch • Hutchison • initial public offering • MobiFone • operator • Singapore • Singapore Telecommunications • SingTel • Vietnam • Vodafone

Mobile search service launched by Mobifone(Vietnam)

On 12.07.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vietnam based mobile operator MobileFone launched its mobile-search service in partnership with Nam Digital Corp Area 1 (VDC1). The msearch service is based on socbay technology of Naiscorp.

The service will operate on GPRS base and high speed 3G. Using a client support of nearly 300 mobile lines in Vietnam, the service will provide relevant information of the search results to the users including pictures, sound and ads.

The aim of the service is to attract businessmen and youngsters, and has been developed to provide an alternative to search engines on mobile devices in the thriving market of 3 G services and smartphone.

Tagged with: ASIA • GPRS • MobiFone • Mobile • operator • smartphone • socbay • Vietnam

Vinaphone to launch Vietnam’s first 3G Network.

On 10.02.09, In Mobile, By admin

VinaPhone, the Vietnamese mobile operator has announced that its 3G network will be launched on October 12th. Vinaphone will be first to go live on 3G in Vietnam.

VinaPhone’s deputy director Ho Duc Thang told a media house that Vinaphone has finalised the installation of thousands of 3G transceiver base stations will announce 3G tarriffs on the day of launch.

Vinaphone officially launched in June 2006 and currently has over 13 million subscribers. Vinaphone is among the top three mobile operators in Vietnam now.

Motorola has earlier announced that it had won the 3G upgrade contract from Vinaphone.

Three more operators in Vietnam have a 3G license – Viettel, EVN Telecom-Hanoi Telecom and Mobifone are testing their networks and will be launching shortly.

VinaPhone, the Vietnamese mobile operator has announced that its 3G network will be launched on October 12th. Vinaphone will be first to go live on 3G in Vietnam.

VinaPhone’s deputy director Ho Duc Thang told a media house that Vinaphone has finalised the installation of thousands of 3G transceiver base stations will announce 3G tarriffs on the day of launch.

Vinaphone officially launched in June 2006 and currently has over 13 million subscribers. Vinaphone is among the top three mobile operators in Vietnam now.

Motorola has earlier announced that it had won the 3G upgrade contract from Vinaphone.

Three more operators in Vietnam have a 3G license – Viettel, EVN Telecom-Hanoi Telecom and Mobifone are testing their networks and will be launching shortly.

Tagged with: 3G • 3G license • 3G network • EVN Telecom • Hanoi Telecom • MobiFon • MobiFone • Mobile Operators • Motorola • Thang • Vietnam • Vietnamese mobile • Viettel • Vinaphone

Vodafone introduces new Lifelong prepaid plans (India)

On 07.15.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vodafone Essar, leading mobile operator of India, has introduced a range of new Lifelong Prepaid Plans for new and existing subscribers. With the tariff plans of Rs 48, Rs 101 and Rs 149, prepaid subscribers can now make a call on all local mobile phones for as low as 50p/min. These recharges also benefit subscribers with lifelong validity on their SIM cards.

RC 48: This recharge offers all local calls at 50p/min, local SMS at 25p and a talk time of Rs 5. The tariff is valid for 3 months from the date of recharge.

RC 101: Make calls to local Vodafone mobiles within the same tariff at 30p/min, to other local mobiles at 50p/min, STD at Re 1/min and 100 local SMS free daily. (Daily: first 2 SMS will be charged at Re 1/SMS and first STD call charged at Rs 1.50/min). Tariff validity is 1 year from the date of recharge.

RC 149: Make calls to local Vodafone mobiles within the same tariff at 30p/min, to all other local mobiles at 50p/min, SMS at 10p and also get Rs 75 as talk time, Customers can enjoy this tariff for 1 year from the date of recharge.

K. Sankara Narayanan, Chief Executive Officer – Karnataka, Vodafone Essar South Limited, says “It’s our constant effort to innovate and offer value products and tariff propositions to prepaid customers in Karnataka. By offering local calls at 50p/min and special SMS rates, we are confident that these affordable recharges will appeal to a large number of our subscribers and enable them to stay connected at economical rates. With add on Bonus Cards, prepaid customers can opt for specific or need based tariff benefits in tune with their usage patterns”.

With these lifetime preaid plan, all STD and Night Speak Bonus cards can be used, allowing subscribers to enjoy the benefit of low calling tariffs for long distance and night calling.

The new recharges can be purchased at any Vodafone Store, Vodafone Mini store or at any mobile retail outlet across Karnataka.

Tagged with: Charges • Chinguitel • Digitel Philippines • Easer Mobile • Investmnt • LookatmeTV • Majan Telecommunication • MobiFone • SDE

MNP plan hits a roadblock (India)

On 07.13.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: According to a media report, it is indicated that launch of MNP in a phased manner is not possible. Apart from this, there are problems in call routing and charging in the MNP scenario, no pan-India readiness for MNP; and difficult to meet the government set deadline for implementing MNP, report said. There is also a technical clash between location routing numbers (LRNs) and STD codes in at least 200 sites. However, Department of Telecom (DoT) has asked all service providers to stick to the timeline.

Tagged with: In Fusio • India • MobiFone • Oberon Media • Prepaid Plans

Aircel lowers mobile call tariff to 40paise/min (India)

On 03.19.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Aircel, a part of Malaysia’s Maxis Communication, has introduced a lifetime validity scheme for prepaid mobile customers that is expected to set off a new tariff war, as the plan boasts of call rates as low as 40 paise a minute. The plan cost at Rs 99 enabling subscribers to make local calls at Re. 1 for the first minute, 60 paise for the second minute and 40 paise for the third minute onwards.

This plan also offers ISD calls at Rs 1.75 per minute to USA and Canada, along with 300 free messages. The plan would also enables subscribers to make Aircel-to-Aircel STD (domestic long distance) calls at 50 paise a minute and the service would be free-of-cost for first three months.

Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News

Tagged with: Charges • Chinguitel • Digitel Philippines • India • LookatmeTV • MobiFone • Niqatak Programme • utopia

BSNL launches 3G in 11 cities, announces tariff plans (India)

On 03.02.09, In Mobile, By Editor

BSNL today launched 3G Mobile Services on commercial basis simultaneously in 11 cities — Agra, Ambala, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Dehradun, Simla, Lucknow, Ranchi, Durgapur, Haldia, Patna & a soft launch in Jammu. BSNL has also announced tariff plans for 3G mobile services under pre-paid and post-paid voice, video and data plans. The subscriber can make a voice call at 10 paise/ minute under full value Rs-1,000 plan. The subscribers are charged Re 1 a minute under the unlimited Rs-2,500 plan for a video call and Rs 2 for STD video calls.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News

Tagged with: Digitel Philippines • GSM • India • MobiFone • Mobile Financial Services • MTNL • Niqatak Programme • Nuviphone

Subscribers may have an option to choose STD, ISD provider, DoT (India)

On 02.02.09, In Mobile, By Editor

DoT is deeming a move to allow subscribers to opt for STD as well as ISD service provider as per choice. In the present scenario, a subscriber is bound to the service provider providing the connection and has no option to choose STD or ISD operator. DoT has submitted its recommendations to the Telecom Commission for approval, according to a report.