Zain launches High Speed Data Access across ‘One Network’
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In another world-first, leading mobile network operator, Zain, announced today that it has launched cross-border data
services across the Middle East and in East Africa on its award winning ‘One Network’ platform. The data service is yet another demonstration of Zain’s commitment to expand ‘One Network’s’ revolutionary service in terms of geographical
coverage and product offerings, this time by being the first mobile operator in the world to successfully introduce cross-border local GRX-based data access, an innovative technical solution which ensures faster access speeds at cost effective local rates than traditional internet roaming. (more…)
Zain launches World’s first Cross-border local GRX-based data access Mobile Roaming Service.
Zain launches the world’s first cross-border local GRX-based data access service, which ensures faster access speeds at cost effective local rates, according to international roaming marketing manager Ayman Sami Al-Alawi.
Zain’s subscribers in Bahrain will be able to access their data services at local rates under its networks in the Middle East and Africa. The One Office scheme, an expansion of Zain’s existing “One Network” voice service will enable subscribers to use data services like BlackBerry and plug-in Internet devices at local rates of the country they are in, according to Zain Bahrain general manager Mohammed Zainalabedin.
In the middle-east, the service will be active in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Sudan immediately. Kuwait is not on board due to regulatory constraints currrently.
In Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will be live immediately and all other African countries are expected to go live by the end of 2009.
It is interesting to note that customers do not need to pre-register for this, which will greatly benefit roamers. customer can credit their accounts with locally purchased top-up cards asd well at any of Zain’s points of sale across the region.
Zain restructures global operations to reach growth targets
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: At a strategic meeting with senior Zain executives from all 22 African and Middle East operations, Zain Group CEO Dr Saad Al Barrak announced a new program to propel the company towards its 2011 target of being a top ten global mobile telecommunications operator. ‘Drive2011′ will focus on customer facing services and commercial activities while centralizing or outsourcing some back office/non-core functions to strategic partners.
This program, which comes at a vital stage of the company’s 3x3x3 vision that commenced in 2003, will maximize economies of scale and realize significant efficiencies, allowing Zain to provide communication services such as voice, SMS and data at an optimum cost structure. Drive2011 is expected to improve Zain’s operating margin by 5% within 12 months and provide the company the necessary thrust to capture the future growth potential of the markets in which it operates.
The Zain Group will align its head office and operations structures in accordance with the new operating model. This will result in Zain reducing its current 15,500 global workforce by 2,000 – a 13% reduction across the board. Zain operations in Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi and Sierra Leone have already begun the process.
“Drive2011 is a natural consequence of Zain’s evolutionary journey. It was planned soon after the launch of our ACE strategy in 2007 and is a structured and timetabled approach to maximizing efficiency,” declared Dr Al Barrak. “We will create genuine market differentiation through our services and deliver on our Zain brand promise of ‘A wonderful world’. This will be achieved through a combination of managed outsourcing, centralization and leveraging capabilities, as well as training and development for our personnel, all of which will improve our operating efficiencies.”
In a move aimed at tackling the challenges ahead and attaining other 2011 targets of 150 million customers and a US$6 billion EBITDA, Dr Al Barrak also announced several senior management changes at both Group and country operation level.
Drive2011 comes hot on the heels of a string of firsts for Zain, particularly the groundbreaking mobile commerce solution, launched in East Africa in February 2009, and which has already attracted several hundred thousand customers. The service is operational in Kenya and Tanzania and will shortly be launched in Uganda before being rolled out across all Zain operations. The service is the most comprehensive mobile banking solution in the world, offering among other things, access to full banking services, the ability to pay utility bills, including electricity, money transfer services, and the facility to buy airtime top -up. It has also proved popular with major international companies drawn its cost-effective and efficient way of paying vendors across these two vast countries.
Finally, Zain Create, the popular music and video download service, launched in partnership with Rotana, has proved an instant hit among the youth segment. Currently available to Zain customers in Kuwait and Sudan, it will eventually be rolled-out across all operations.
About Zain
Zain is a leading emerging markets player in the field of telecommunications aiming to become one of the top ten mobile operators in the world by 2011. Today it is the 4th largest mobile network in the world in terms of geographic presence with a footprint in 23 countries spread across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to 63.5 million active customers (as at 31 December 2008).
Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Lebanon, the company manages the network on behalf of the government operating as mtc-touch. In Morocco, Zain in a joint venture owns 31% of ‘Wana’.
The company offers innovative services in its markets such as One Network, the world’s first borderless mobile telecommunication network enabling customers to receive and make calls throughout many countries in Africa and the Middle East at free or local rates. The Zain brand is wholly owned by Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange. Zain is listed in the Financial Times’ Global 500 Index which ranks the world’s largest companies based on market capitalization (http://www.ft.com/reports/ft5002008 ). For more, please visit www.zain.com or email info@zain.com
Virgin Mobile targets 5Mn youth subscribers by 2011 (India)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Virgin Mobile said, the VAS provider aims for 5 mn youth subscribers by 2011. “By 2011, the number of mobile user among the youth is likely to go up to 50 million in India. We aim to win 10 per cent of that market,” said Virgin Mobile”s Chief Executive Officer M A Madhusudan.
Zain Group selects Tekelec to enable enhanced consumer offerings & lower operating cost (Nigeria)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Tekelec, the network signaling, mobile messaging and performance management company, has been chosen by Zain Group to enable Zain Nigeria Ltd., Zain’s largest network operator, to quickly gain the benefits of migrating to an all-Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) network. Zain Group provides mobile services in 23 countries and is the world’s fourth-largest telecommunications company based on geographic presence.
Major factors in Zain’s selection of Tekelec were the technology‘s market-proven reliability and ability to scale to the growing demands of global service providers. Another important feature in Zain’s selection of Tekelec’s EAGLE 5 platform was Tekelec’s support of SIGTRAN (SS7 signaling over IP), which is a stepping stone for cost-effectively migrating to an all-IP network. SIGTRAN enables service providers on the public-switched telephone networks (PSTNs) to use an underlying IP transport vehicle, thereby allowing them to offer their subscribers multimedia services through their existing network. Zain Nigeria completed the EAGLE 5 deployment in Q4 2008.
“The project has been managed by Tekelec in an exceptionally professional and consistent manner even when faced with integration into a challenging environment such as Nigeria,” said John Earley, Technical Director for Zain Nigeria. “I can say with confidence that Tekelec’s handling of this project from start to now has been faultless. We are looking forward to a seamless integration into our existing core and anticipate substantial improvements in network signaling performance.”
In 2007 and 2008, 37 of Tekelec’s 40 new customers purchased the EAGLE 5 platform across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East. The company’s solutions are now deployed in 103 countries.
“On a global basis, Tekelec is experiencing strong success with our EAGLE 5 platform,” said Wolrad Claudy, Tekelec’s senior vice president of global sales. “Customers consistently cite Tekelec’s commitment to innovation and how that’s demonstrated in the EAGLE Product Family’s constant evolution as a platform to support their migration to next-gen and IMS networks. In the majority of cases — including Zain Nigeria — the EAGLE 5 platform displaced another that could not reliably support the service provider’s migration plans in a flexible and scalable manner.”
Industry trends driving the demand for Tekelec’s EAGLE 5 platform are continued strong growth in the number of global mobile subscribers in emerging markets like Nigeria, short message service (SMS) growth worldwide, government-mandated number portability, and routing flexibility. The EAGLE 5 platform has been enhanced with increased signaling capacity, scalability and performance to address these issues as well as the complexities of hybrid, next-gen and all-IP networks.
Tekelec continues to execute on its strategy to increase the company’s global footprint with more than 60 percent of its revenues now coming from outside of North America.
About Tekelec
Tekelec, a global leader in core multimedia session control and network intelligence, ensures scalable, secure and highly available communications. The company’s market-leading signaling solutions enable the interworking of different network applications, technologies and protocols, providing a smooth transition to next-generation networks. Tekelec has more than 20 offices around the world serving customers in more than 100 countries, with corporate headquarters located near Research Triangle Park in Morrisville, N.C., U.S.A. For more information, please visit http://www.tekelec.com.
About Zain Nigeria
Formerly known as Celtel Nigeria, the company (http://www.ng.zain.com) was established in 2000, by a group of institutional and private investors as well as three state governments. It made history on August 5, 2001 by becoming the first telecoms operator to launch commercial GSM services in Nigeria. In 2006, following Celtel International’s acquisition of majority stake in the company, it was re-branded Celtel and became an important part of Celtel’s pan-African operations spanning 14 countries. On August 1, 2008 Celtel Nigeria was rebranded Zain Nigeria following the global acquisition of Celtel International by MTC Group, which transformed to Zain Group, a leading emerging markets player in the field of telecommunications aiming to become one of the top ten mobile groups in the world by 2011. Zain Nigeria, which currently covers over 1500 towns and 14000 communities across the six geopolitical zones of the country, scored a series of many other “firsts” in the highly competitive Nigerian telecommunications market including the first to introduce toll-free 24-hour customer care line-111; first to launch service in all the six geo-political zones in the country; first to introduce N500 recharge card; first to commence emergency service (Celtel 199); first to introduce monthly free SMS and first to introduce monthly airtime bonus.
About Zain
Zain is a leading emerging markets player in the field of telecommunications aiming to become one of the top ten mobile operators in the world by 2011. Zain was established in 1983 in Kuwait as the region’s first mobile operator. Since 2003, it has grown significantly becoming the 4th largest mobile network in the world in terms of geographic presence with a footprint now in 23 countries spread across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 63.5 million active customers. Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Lebanon, the company manages the network on behalf of the government operating as mtc-touch. The company offers innovative services in its markets such as One Network, the world’s first borderless mobile telecommunication network enabling customers to receive and make calls throughout many countries in Africa and the Middle East at free or local rates. The Zain brand is wholly owned by Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (Stock ticker: ZAIN).
For more information, please visit http://www.zain.com/ or email info@zain.com.
Mi-Pay offers mobile remittance service in Sierra Leone
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Mi-pay, mobile payments service provider based in UK, has launched mobile international remittance service in Sierra Leone. The subscribers in the Sierra Leone corridor will be able to use their mobile phone or the web to send or receive money payments to or from friends and relatives abroad. This is followed with the launch Mi-Pay’s mobile money transfer service in Sudan, which is being launched by agent-based Saraf Mobile across North Africa.
China Mobile likely to buy small assets in MTN
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: China Mobile, world’s largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, is looking for partners together to bid for small assets of the South African incumbent MTN.
According to a media report, China Mobile is likely to acquire a small share of MTN’s assets in Iran, Syria and Sudan, which are valued at about US$2 billion. The Chinese incumbent aims to be a junior partner in the acquisition as the company’s management think that MTN lacks skills to operate these assets.
China Mobile is in talks with the operators who have a large market share in Africa and Middle East, including France Telecom, Zain, Orascom Telecom and Etisalat.
Mi-Pay and Isys go live with Saraf-Mobile in Sudan, and roll-out of P2P mobile money service across region
Leading mobile money services provider Mi-Pay and Isys Global Trading Group, a leading value added service provider to mobile operators and financial institutions have combined forces to launch a new person-to-person money transmission service which is now live and fully operational in Sudan.
Called ‘Saraf-Mobile’, the new platform delivers secure payments capabilities to companies and individuals using their mobile phones; creating a cash transfer channel packed with application and service potential for financial institutions. The new pan-Arab service is the first phase in a planned roll-out which will cover 22 countries within the Middle East and North Africa.
With ‘Saraf-Mobile’ people in Sudan can now transfer money immediately from one recipient to another irrespective of their location. People can send money to family and friends; businesses can receive payment direct from customers’ mobiles; and financial institutions can target and serve the huge mobile consumer base that exists within the region. All that’s required to make a transfer is the recipient’s mobile phone number.
‘Saraf-Mobile’ represents a true collaborative approach between Mi-Pay and Isys. Mi-Pay supplies the open-system technical infrastructure including transaction clearance and settlement interface as well managing the regulatory framework, training and associated skills development. Isys, through commercializing the technology and capitalizing on its network of regional offices, provides local management and first line technical support as well as partner recruitment and local regulatory approvals.
Both Mi-Pay and Isys are eager to emphasise the opportunity for financial institutions across the Middle East and Africa. Representing a completely managed, customer ready operator independent service, ‘Saraf-Mobile’ is a fully-supportive channel that enables mobile phones to be used for money transfer.
It dramatically reduces the time to market and operational overhead traditionally associated with establishing this type of service model. It also provides potential to evolve new revenue streams for financial institutions by providing ubiquitous payments services such as mobile top-up, utilities payment and money collection.
‘Saraf Mobile’ also creates a new authorised cash channel for both the ‘banked and unbanked’. Individuals can simply go to a ‘Saraf-Mobile’ agent to transfer money easily, securely and quickly; the recipient is advised same-time via SMS to go to their local Saraf-Mobile†agent to collect the transferred cash.
Glen Jennison, Managing Director Mi-Pay Middle East explained: Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) can deliver huge benefits to countries and people throughout Africa and the Middle East. With the launch of ‘Saraf-Mobile’, Mi-Pay and Isys are demonstrating their foresight and commitment to the region. There is no need for a Bank account, a plastic card or an ATM.
“Cash is king in the majority of Middle East and African countries and mobile phone penetration can be almost 100%. The opportunities for ‘Saraf-Mobile’, therefore, are immense. Mi-Pay is proud to partner with Isys to deliver financial service solutions that offer greater access and financial freedom to individuals and business alike.â€
Mohammed Al Rashidi Managing Director & CEO of Isys commented: Isys and Mi-Pay are working as one team to help financial institutions deploy ‘Saraf-Mobile’ without boundaries. We are glad to be working with an innovative, application driven company such as Mi-Pay and are looking forward to deploying ‘Saraf-Mobile’ in all Isys operations, currently in 22 countries, throughout the Middle East and Africa. ‘Saraf-Mobile’ is the first outcome from a unique program designed to provide innovative financial services; making it faster and easier for financial institutions to fulfil their growth ambitions.â€
About Mi-Pay
Mi-Pay the leading mobile money company, provides an innovative range of products and services that enable consumers around the world to undertake safe and secure financial transactions from their mobile phones. With its International HQ based in the UK, Mi-Pay recognises the need to be local as well as global and has offices and operations in Dubai, Romania, and India, bringing a global perspective to the provision of secure transactions from the consumer’s handset through to settlement. Mi-Pay has vast expertise and service offerings that span mobile money transfer, mobile initiated payments, mobile banking, and pre-pay top ups.
For more information, please visit www.mi-pay.com
About ISYS
ISYS is a Kuwaiti, global based company, working in telecom solutions; by bringing technology standards, and customised solutions through partners, operators, to telecom consumers. ISYS carries out advanced competitive leadership in mobile services, both local and regional such as Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Egypt; as well as Globally such as Sudan, Nigeria and more. ISYS has already reached six branch offices; ISYS Kuwait, ISYS Emirate, ISYS Jordan, ISYS Egypt, ISYS Sudan, ISYS Nigeria, and toward Europe and more.
ISYS keeps providing many innovative mobile content solutions and financial services, as well as consultancy and applications to third parties and telecom companies. Based on the leaded concept, ISYS focuses on a standard model, to keep its solutions seamless for the location or region, and serve better the telecom consumers.
For more information visit www.Isys.mobi
Virgin Mobile plans to enter GSM network space (India)
Virgin Mobile India, a JV between UK based Virgin Group and TTSL, intends to enter the GSM mobile network space as it awaits TTSL’s soon-to-be-launched GSM service.
Currently, Virgin Mobile operates as a CDMA service provider under TTSL’s brand franchisee arrangement. Under the arrangement, Virgin Mobile provides TTSL with designing, marketing and servicing of the services and both companies also have a revenue sharing arrangement between both the companies.
“Our agreement with TTSL is technology neutral. At present, our services are restricted to CDMA. Once TTSL unveils its GSM network, we will extend the Virgin services into GSM as well. TTSL is our preferred partner for the GSM brand extension in India,” said Virgin Mobile India CEO M.A. Madhusudan.
Virgin Mobile will launch its GSM services soon after TTSL enters the foray of GSM operators.
“Nearly 73% of the Indian mobile market is controlled by GSM operators. An entry into GSM will help us to expand our addressable market and also increase our average revenue per user (ARPU). Currently, our ARPU is nearly 30% higher than the industry average,” said Madhusudan.
Vivacell launches GSM network in South Sudan
Vivacell has spread its wings to the South Sudan, where it launches its GSM network with a coverage of a million people. The operation has been launched by the Lebanese investment group, Fattouch Investment Group, after it bought the wireless licensee Network of the World (NOW) in 2007. ‘Fattouch owns 75% (of Vivacell) and Wawat 25%’ said south Sudanese telecoms minister Gier Chuang.
‘This is the NOW licence. Vivacell is a commercial name’ said south Sudanese telecommunications ministry undersecretary Stephen Juma.
