www.WirelessFederation.com/news: DiGi Telecommunications, the Malaysian mobile operator, reportedly aims to raise its market share as it releases new music download service. DiGi intends to increase this to 33% ‘as soon as possible’. In order to achieve its goal the cellco is launching its ‘Music Unlimited’ service, which offers unlimited downloads of songs from a selection of half a million tracks for MYR5 (USD1.42) per month. Commenting on the new service DiGi’s head of products and segment marketing, Albern Murty, said it targeted one of the most important demographics, noting: ‘With over 50% of the Malaysian population in the youth bracket, it is an important and growing market for DiGi’.
On 08.13.09, In Mobile, By Editor
On 07.16.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTNL, the state-owned mobile operator, which has been offering 3G services from past five years and has managed to secure 1000 3G connections, has invited private firms to launch its service in Delhi and Mumbai on a revenue sharing basis. Though the operator has not managed to push the uptake of the new technology, it has set stiff targets for the proposed private partner. The targets include assured revenue of Rs 240 crore in each Metro over a 3 year period.
If the franchisee fails to meet the targets, MTNL will charge a penalty which will be 10% of the shortfall amount.
MTNL has also sought a guaranteed minimum ARPU of Rs 500 a month from Day One. While the partnership will be on an exclusive basis, MTNL has reserved the right to change or bring in additional franchisees if the private player misses targets after the 3 year period.
Mr R. S .P. Sinha, Chairman and Managing Director, MTNL, said, “We are looking to partner someone who has the experience in rolling out 3G services. We are seeking proposals from the prospective participants who has necessary resources and infrastructure to provide customer care, set up own payment mechanism, create sales and distribution network to promote MTNL brand or create own branding for 3G services. Since 3G is all about data and content, it is a different ball game from voice services.”
Bids for the interested firms will start on 4 August.
MTNL will provide the infrastructure land, air conditioning on chargeable basis for co-locating the equipment of 3G franchisee. While the private player can utilise MTNL’s spectrum, it will have to set up its own infrastructure.
On 05.18.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Zain, the African and Middle Eastern mobile operator, has lowered its net profit growth targets for 2009 from 30% to 20% and is seeking a credit rating to tap longer term debt markets by 2010-end. Ibrahim Adel, the Chief Communications Officer for Zain said “realistically we can do something in the 20% region this year” for net profit growth”.
Zain has announced lowered targets due to global recession and the economic conditions. The company will also seek a credit rating by the end of 2009 to allow Zain to tap longer term debt markets. Adel said Zain will refinance the USD 4 billion through sukuks and bonds.
The operator is in talks with Saudi banks to refinance a USD 2.5 billion murabaha facility due in July and has already received “commitments from two leading financial institutions in Saudi”.Adel says the focus for this year has shifted and will no longer be on mergers and acquisitions, but the valuations havenot dropped to a level Zain wants.
Zain also plans a cut in its expenditure targets by half, Adel said, as it focussed on synergies among its various units. Adel said the group’s capital expenditure will decrease to USD 1-1.5 billion for this year, which will allow the firm to meet all targets.
On 04.21.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Millicom, has reported a fall in its core earnings in Q1′09, reduced its capex forecast and said it could sell part or all of its Asian operations. The operator which targets the emerging markets reportedly said that the EBITDA grew to $376 million from a year earlier.
The operator has slashed its capital expenditure forecast for this year to $850 million from around $1 billion and said a review its Asian operations “could lead to a full or partial divestment of our business in the region”.
On 03.25.09, In Mobile, By Editor
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN Uganda has crossed the mark of 4 million subscribers in March’09 and intends to add 1 million mobile subscribers more to its kitty in 2009. According to CEO Noel Meier, the operator will attract subscribers and compete in the market with its MTN Zone price plan. The operator, in 2009, further plans to invest USD 133 million for network expansion and improvement.
On 02.03.09, In Mobile, By Editor
Philippine Long Distance Telephone, PLDT, intends to add nearly 3-4million new mobile subscribers in 2009, a target lower than that set for 2008. ‘We still expect growth, although it will be difficult to match the additions we made in 2008,’ said company’s chairman Manuel Pangilinan.
PLDT, by the end of 2008 had a total subscriber base of 35.2 million, accounting of subscribers at Smart Communication and Piltel. This year, Pangilinan says his company is ‘determined to improve core profit,’ and to achieve this, is hoping to see sustained pick-up in subscribers.
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