Turkcell announces termination of Vivacom acquisition process (Turkey)
The leading mobile phone operator of Turkey, Turkcell, has announced that the Company has received notification regarding the termination of the sales process they had participated in for the 93.99% stake in the Bulgarian telecom operator, Bulgarian Telecommunications Company AD (Vivacom).
According to reports, Chief Executive Officer Sureyya Ciliv, said that Turkcell continues to evaluate acquisition opportunities for similar buyouts.
The company had 34.1 million subscribers as of June 30th, 2011.
MTN defends its operations in Iran (Iran)
Leading telecom operator in South Africa, the MTN Group, has defended its operations in Iran after a series of allegations made by rival operator Turkcell in $ 4.2 billion lawsuit.
As reported earlier, Turkcell had alleged that MTN secured licences in Iran via bribery and corrupt practices. However, Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN’s chief executive, has defended the Group claiming that Turkcell’s own failures to meet Iranian legal and commercial requirements resulted in it not winning a licence.
As per a statement made by the company, Dabengwa said that any suggestion that Turkcell’s failure to obtain the licence was as a result of any alleged corrupt or improper practices by MTN is unfounded. He added that the allegation that MTN influenced South African foreign policy with regard to its armaments and nuclear position is simply ludicrous and has already been dismissed by the South African government.
Over 21 percent subscribers of the South African Group’s entire subscriber base if from Iran.
MTN denies bribery allegations by Turkcell (Iran, Africa)
The bribery claims alleged by Turkcell on the MTN Group, saying that the South African group bribed officials in Iran for telecom licences have been denied by MTN. According to reports, Phuthuma Nhleko, former chief executive officer of MTN Group Ltd., has said that he can state quite categorically that during his tenure as group CEO of MTN, no bribes were authorized or paid by the MTN Group to any South African or Iranian government officials to secure the mobile license in Iran. He added that the allegations made by Turkcell are far-fetched and without foundation.
Nhleko also said that MTN’s conduct was not unlawful or corrupt and MTN was certainly not in a position where it could influence or fetter the decisions made by the South African government or any other sovereign state.
As reported by Wireless Federation earlier, Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS alleged in a lawsuit that the MTN Group Ltd. had bribed officials, arranged meetings between Iranian and South African leaders, and promised Iran weapons and United Nations votes in exchange for a license to provide mobile-phone service in the Islamic Republic. Turkcell is seeking $4.2 billion in damages through this claim.
Turkcell files legal case claiming MTN bribed officials for licence (Asia, Africa)
Leading mobile operator in Africa, MTN Group Ltd., has allegedly bribed officials, arranged meetings between Iranian and South African leaders, and promised Iran weapons and United Nations votes in exchange for a license to provide mobile-phone service in the Islamic Republic, said Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS in a lawsuit.
According to a report by BN, rival operator Turkcell filed a legal claim against MTN seeking $4.2 billion in damages. The company filed a complaint stating that upset by the loss of the open competition, MTN sought to obtain illegally what it could not obtain through honest competition and thereafter embarked on a premeditated program of corruption through bribery and trading in influence.
The report also reveals that MTN had issued a statement previously; accusing Turkcell of attempted extortion and saying Turkcell threatened a lawsuit alleging improper payments to an Iranian and a South African official. MTN said at the time that any such suit would lack merit.
Further, MTN also said that U.S. courts would not have jurisdiction over any such a case, because the accusations involve conduct alleged to have taken place in South Africa and Iran, and have no connection to the United States.
MTN to investigate Turkcell’s bribery claim (South Africa, Iran)
Leading mobile operator in South Africa, MTN, has said that it is investigating accusations by rival Turkcell regarding a bribery claim for its Iran business. According to company reports, Turkcell has claimed that MTN transferred improper payments to a government official in Iran in order to secure a licence.
The company has said that they have set up a special committee to investigate these claims. In a statement, the company has said that Turkcell was planning to initiate legal action in the US claiming that the operator violated the laws while applying for the licence.
Further, the company has said that MTN has zero tolerance for corruption and unethical business practices. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has established a special committee consisting of non-executive directors to consider the allegations made in support of the Turkcell US Claim. The Board has appointed Lord Leonard Hoffmann, an internationally renowned jurist, to chair the committee, to oversee and validate its investigation, and to ensure the integrity and independence of the investigation.
VimpelCom and Turkcell may receive Pecik’s stake in Telekom Austria
According to reports, Austrian investor Ronny Pecik, may sell his 20% stake in Telekom Austria, to telecommunications company VimpelCom and Turkcell. As per sources, Hannes Ametsreiter, CEO, Telekom Austria said that according to Austrian law, investors are only required to disclose stake holdings of 5%. In the event that the investors raise their stake further, they are not obligated to disclose it.
Sources claim that Pecik plans to sell the stake over the next few years to VimpelCom in an attempt to make a 30% profit on his initial investment. Further, reports suggest that Pecik also aims to become a board member of Telekom Austria. As per reports, Telekom Austria said last week that Vienna-based Privatstiftung, which belongs to Pecik had acquired call options on 5.4% of the company’s shares. Further, the deals made by Pecik and his partners are being reviewed by Austria’s financial markets supervisory agency, to check if they are in violation of any shareholding-notification requirements.
Etisalat drops $122 mn bid for Syrian mobile license (UAE)
Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) has stated that Etisalat has dropped its plans to bid for Syria’s third mobile licence, in the latest blow to the firm’s drive to expand its Middle East footprint.
According to MEED, the UAE Company is not happy with the 25% revenue share demanded by Syria. Etisalat was not immediately available for comment. The bid would have been worth a minimum of $122 million.
The Syrian government has stated that five bidders – Etisalat, France Telecom, Qatar Telecom, Turkcell and Saudi Telecom — have qualified for the license auction. Bids are due April 12.
Syria has been crippled by growing political unrest recently in which more than 60 people have been killed so far.
This deal would have given Etisalat a presence in Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon and Sudan.
The former monopoly already operates in 18 countries, including Saudi Arabia, India and Egypt.
Turkcell Quality, Turkcell Technology, Turkcell Power is Now in Germany
Turkcell (NYSE: TKC, ISE: TCELL), the leading communications and technology company, which has mobile operations in eight countries and is Europe’s 3rd largest operator in terms of subscriber base, is delighted to announce that it is now expanding its operations into nine countries by initiating operations in Germany. A 100% Turkcell Group subsidiary; Turkcell Europe, headquartered in Cologne, has entered the market with the goal of creating a unique experience for its subscribers in Turkey and Germany, and is set to commence its provision of services on April 4, 2011 via 1,200 stores.
Turkcell Europe will meet the mobile communication needs of Turkish citizens living in Germany, as well as other mobile users with close ties to Turkey, through its best practices. Whether prepaid or postpaid, each Turkcell Europe subscriber with a Turkcell Europe line will benefit from offers tailored to the needs of diverse customer segments, and communicate at affordable prices, both in Turkey and Germany via flat rate offers. These offers, which enable Turkcell Europe subscribers to talk at advantageous prices while travelling from Germany to Turkey will also eliminate the need to change SIM cards or numbers during their stay in Turkey.
Turkcell CEO SureyyaCiliv; “We are proud to connect both countries and our citizens through the mobile communication bridge we have established 50 years after the first migrationfrom Turkey to Germany. We will provide our customers with Turkcell’s high quality products and services through outstanding voice and data offers, using the Germany’s extensive and high quality network. We aim to become the number one operator for subscribers who wish to communicate with their relatives in Germanyand Turkey while using the most feasible roaming advantages at affordable prices. Those subscribers are the ones who are keen on receiving Turkish content and information instantly through our innovative mobile services, as well as the ones who prefer to connect life with Turkey’s Turkcell.”
TeliaSonera takes legal action against Turkcell Chairman
In order to safeguard good corporate governance in Turkcell, to the benefit of all shareholders, and protect its legal rights as minority shareholder, TeliaSonera takes legal action against the Chairman of Turkcell, Mr. Colin J. Williams.
TeliaSonera has for years argued that the number of independent board members in Turkcell has to increase in order for Turkcell to follow requirements by the Turkish Capital Markets Board and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such actions have however been blocked by Cukurova and the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Colin J. Williams.
TeliaSonera has lately put forward formal requests to the Board of Turkcell to add the possibility for Turkcell’s shareholders to address the board composition at the upcoming Annual Shareholders’ Meeting (AGM). The right for a minority shareholder, with more than 5 percent of the shares in a listed company, to address an issue at the AGM is a basic and clear right under Turkish law. TeliaSonera has now, through the actions of a minority of the Turkcell board members, been denied this legal right. The actions are clear violations of the law. It is particularly troubling that the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Colin J Williams, who is the only independent board member and whose vote would have altered the Board’s decision, has acted against the law.
Following the law is a minimum requirement for a Chairman of a major listed international company. We also believe that issues regarding corporate governance should be openly discussed and decided by all shareholders at the AGM and not be blocked behind closed doors by a minority of the Board,†says Cecilia Edstr¶m, Senior Vice President and Head of Group Communications.
We take the fact that Mr. Colin J. Williams has been blocking certain vital corporate governance issues as evidence that he is not acting as an independent member and impartial Chairman of the Board of Turkcell. He should therefore be removed from his duties, in order not to cause the company and its shareholders any further damage,†Cecilia Edstr¶m continues.
TeliaSonera AB discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Swedish Securities Markets Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instrument Trading Act.
Turkey is included in the World Fiber League for the First Time with Superonline
Turkcell, the leading communications and technology company in Turkey is delighted to announce its 100% owned subsidiary and Turkey’s leading internet service provider Superonline’s fast entrance to the “fiber-to-the-home” league. Superonline was a key contributor in helping placeTurkey 8th on the list of fiber internet penetration among G20 countries, according to the International Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council’s latest report.
The International FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) Council, one of the world’s most reputable non-profit corporations, in its 2011 report, ranked Turkey 8th among G20 countries in terms of penetration. The report states, “Superonline, Turkey’s leading mobile operator and Turkcell’s fully owned subsidiary, enabled Turkey to be ranked the 8th among G20 countries in global listing.”
Superonline’s General Manager Murat Erkan: “Committed to enhance Turkey”
Superonline’s General Manager Murat Erkan stated, “The Company is proud to contribute to Turkey’s inclusion in this list for the first time, where only eight of the G20 countries were represented. Turkey’s innovative telecom operator Superonline built up its own IP backbone and reached 73 cities and spans more than 22.500km. Superonline offers 100 Mbps fiber internet speed to residents in eight major cities in Turkey, ending the copper era and starting up the fiber era.”
Superonline recorded a solid financial performance in 2010. It increased its revenues by 33% to TRY335 million.. In 2010, Superonline also pursued opportunities to expand its reach across borders, through the RCN Project, which formed the region’s longest terrestrial fiber infrastructure to connect the Middle East to the world via Turkey.
ABOUT FTTH COUNCIL:
FTTH Council was established at 2001 initially as an organization accepting the membership of only telecommunication and technology companies. Currently, it is a nonprofit corporation, which incorporates different organizations from municipalities to service suppliers. International FTTH Council’s mission is to create awareness of “fiber to the home” concept and this concept’s contribution to life quality.
For Information: http://www.ftthcouncil.org.
ABOUT SUPERONLINE
Turkey’s innovative telecom operator Superonline is a fully owned Turkcell Group company. Superonline invests to new generation fiber optic infrastructures continuously to create its own infrastructure. Superonline is the first and only telecom operator which provides 100 Mbps internet to the residentials. Superonline provides service to individual and corporate customers, in the fields of internet access, new generation telephone services, corporate total telecom solutions, wholesale voice and data services, datacenter services and, any other value added telecommunication services. Read more at http://www.superonline.net.
ABOUT TURKCELL
Turkcell is the leading communications and technology company in Turkey with 33.5 million subscribers and a market share of approximately 54% as of 2010 (Source: Operator’s announcements). Turkcell is a leading regional player, with market leadership in five of the nine countries in which it operates with its approximately 60.4 million subscribers as of 2010. Turkcell reported TRY9.0 billion ($6.0 billion) net revenue and its total assets reached TRY15.1 billion ($9.8 billion) as of 2010. Turkcell covers 82% of the Turkish population through its 3G and covers 99.07% of the Turkish population through its 2G technology supported network. Turkcell has become one of the first operators among the global operators to have implemented HSDPA+ and to reach to 42.2 Mbps speed with HSPA multi carrier solution. Turkcell has been listed on the NYSE and the ISE since July 2000 and is the only NYSE-listed company in Turkey. 51.00% of Turkcell’s share capital is held by Turkcell Holding, 0.05% by ƒâ€¡ukurova Holding, 13.07% by Sonera Holding and 1.19% by others while the remaining 34.69% is free float. Read more at http://www.turkcell.com.tr.
