MTN Rwanda deploy Aradial Wi-Fi solution
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: To provide Wi-Fi services to the city of Kigali, MTN Rwanda has deployed Aradial AAA and Aradial Policy Control solution. The solution and the access controllers integrate to manage Wi-Fi base stations and operate with Ericsson’s intelligent network over the provisioning infrastructure of MTN. The move will ensure zero charging leakages in the operator’s pre-paid billing.
According to Rami Farah, CTO, MTN Rwanda, new solution will enable full control over the usage of the hotspots very cost effectively, while improving subscribers’ service experience.
Better internet connectivity could also be provided by the Rwandan operator to its customers, thus, increasing its profitability while eliminating the overheads associated with customer provisioning, authorization and accounting.
Airtel- Warid deal receive regulatory nod
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: By receiving the regulatory approval to pay $300 million for a 70% stake in Bangladesh’s fourth-largest cellco Warid Telecom via a new share issue, Bharti Airtel has strengthened its Asian asset portfolio.
If the move is successful, Indian mobile behemoth can compete with global magnates Telenor, Axiata and Orascom Telecom in Bangladesh. The moves have become imperative for Bharti in order to help prop up its profits from the low ARPU, highly competitive Indian market. Kuwait’s Zain Telecom and Sweden’s Millicom International Cellular are also on its target.
Late last year, South African government’s disapproval led to the failure of the Airtel’s deal to merge with South African giant MTN. However, for Bangladeshi investment, Airtel have big plans hoping the investment to surpass a total of $1 billion in the next few years.
India’s GSM subscribers’ base increased by 11.08m
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The number of people availing the facility of mobile communication is increasing by leaps and bounds in India with an increase of 11.08 million subscribers within a month. According to figures from the industry
association COAI, 366.77 million GSM mobile subscribers by the end of November went up by 355.69 million in October.
With a market share of 31.63 percent and 116 million subscribers, up from 113.2 million GSM subscribers a month earlier, Bharti Airtel remained the market leader. The subscriber base of Vodafone Essar rose to 88.6 million, from 85.82 million in October and its market share was 24.16 percent.
The third place was occupied by BSNL which ended the month with 55.18 million customers, up from 53.96 million, the market share being 15.05 percent. Idea Cellular ended the month with the fourth place with 55.9 million customers and a market share of 15.24 percent. Aircel’s market share was 8 percent and subscriber base of 29.35 million.
Reliance Telecom and MTNL had 14.6 million and 4.5 million customers respectively. Their market share stood at 3.98 percent and 1.23 percent.
Loop Mobile operating only in Mumbai, saw its subscriber base reach 2.59 million and its market share is 0.71 percent.
MTN borrows 18Mn for network overhaul (Rwanda)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Africa’s fastest growing and leading mobile network, MTN, signed US$18 million deal with six local banks to overhaul its network in Rwanda. The deal came after Millicom International Cellular, a rival operator, started its mobile operation in mid November.
The deal is a part of the 100 million investments, MTN is set to make in the network this year. The debt will be taken in two different installments of $8 million and $10 million payable in three years and five years respectively. The loan will finance the network expansion of MTN above the current 90 percent coverage and will help to strengthen its position in the highly competitive market.
MTN has over 1.8 million subscribers in the country with a population of about 10 million people. It was awarded a national GSM license in Rwanda in 1998. Country’s third mobile license was won by Millicom International Cellular in November 2008, for $60 million.
Bharti Airtel considering bid for Millicom SL
Bharti Airtel CEO, Manoj Kohli told reporters in India that Airtel may bid for Millicom’s Sri Lankan operation. Bharti already operates in SL.
Wireless Federation had earlier reported that Millicom/Tigo Laos has been sold to Russia’s Vimpelcom.
Bharti is actively considering acquisitions in Africa and the world over after the talks with MTN collapsed.
Bharti group CEO Sunil Mittal has said that the company won’t engage in dialogue with MTN for a third time, after inconclusive talks twice.
Nasdaq-listed Millicom provides prepaid cellular telephony services to over 30 million customers in 16 emerging markets in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Asked if Bharti Airtel was also interested in Kuwait’s Zain Telecom, Kohli said they will continue to explore international acquisitions. (Airtel-Zain, See Here)
MTN and Bharti now rivals in a bid for Zain.
What was to be a merger is now likely to turn into a battle to acquire Zain. Reliable sources have revealed that a dialogue between Airtel and Zain has now been initiated via intermediaries. With this Bharti will now take on MTN in a bid to acquire Zain.
Last month, MTN CEO Phutuma Nhleko had stated that it would consider buying the African assets of Zain Telecom if the deal with Bharti did not go through.
Bharti Airtel is trying its hardest best to get a foothold in Africa, which is where the growth story is playing out as well.
Zain is considered a valuable asset because it has over 69 million customers and operations in 24 countries across West Asia and Africa, and a market capitalisation in excess of $19 billion. In Africa alone, it has 41 million customers and is the number one mobile operator in 12 of the 16 countries it operates in. As a comparison, MTN has over 103 million customers and operates in 21 countries.
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…)
