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.
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
Tigo Rwanda to be launched by End 2009
Millicom will be launching TIGO Rwanda by the end of this year. Millicom paid USD 60 Million for a 15 year license in November 2008.
Tigo Rwanda’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alex Kamara, told a newspaper that Millicom is still committed to what was submitted during the negotiation for the licence last year. In a statement Kamara said that they will launch before the end of the year and their strategies are focused on the service delivery.
Millicom holds 87.5% of the joint venture company in partnership with Marathon Corporation, an established Rwandan conglomerate.
MTN Rwanda and Rwandatel are currently serving over 1.5 million Rwandan mobile subscribers currently.
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…)
Rwandatel & Belgacom ink roaming agreement (Rwanda, Belgium)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Rwandatel has inked a roaming agreement with Belgian telecoms company Belgacom, which will enable Rwandatel’s postpaid subscribers to have acces to voice and SMS services on any roaming network affiliated to Belgacom. Rwandatel’s postpaid subscribers will now be able to access roaming services with nearly 500 operators across the globe. ‘This is a key differentiator for Rwandatel in meeting the requirements of the post-paid subscribers,’ said Patrick Kariningufu, CEO of the Rwandan cellco, adding, ‘In an increasingly intricate and competitive retail market, we acknowledge the importance of partnering with an established recognised leader in international mobile services.’
MTN Rwanda all set to introduce 3G services
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN Rwanda is all geared up to launch its 3G services across the nation, Yvonne Manzi Makoro, the cellco’s senior marketing officer reportedly said. Makoro to local media said, the technology is already up and running, but a commercial launch of the service will happen in the near future, although no specific date was mentioned in the report.
Zambia begins offering unified telecoms licences
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Zambia has reportedly started offering unified’ telecoms licences in order to attract international service providers. The country joins Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa in offering a single concession for an array of services including internet and mobile telephony.
Earlier, Zambian Minister of Communication and Transport Geoffrey Lungwangwa said that the country’s new telecoms bill, which provides for the unified licence, will attract foreign investment in the sector and will protect the rights and interests of service providers and consumers. The new bill gives power to Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), to regulate tariffs and agreements on interconnection fees. The bill further gives ZICTA power to determine a system for promoting the widespread availability and usage of electronic communication networks throughout Zambia by encouraging the installation of communication networks in rural and underserved areas.
MTN Rwanda condemns increase in airtime tax
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN Rwanda has condemned the government’s planned increase in airtime tax for the 2009/10 budget, which will see the levy rise from 3 to 5%. The company’s CEO Khaled Mikkawi said that the mobile operator was surprised by the move, which was not factored into its annual budget.
The CEO said that the tax increase was not well timed and will have a direct impact on the revenues of the company and its expansion plans. The industry is looking more for subsidies to help increase access to telecom services, rather than increased taxes, he added.
The finance minister said the decision to increase the tariff had long been agreed with telecom operators.
