MTN
MTN
MTN - MTN Group Limited - Release Of Subscriber Numbers For The Quarter Ended 31
March 2007
MTN Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1994/009584/06)
Share code: MTN
ISIN: ZAE000042164
RELEASE OF SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2007
MTN Group recorded 44,301,000 subscribers at 31 March 2007. This was up 11% for
the quarter from 40,051,000 subscribers reported for the Group at 31 December
2006. The Group`s subscriber base at 31 March 2007 is reported using the MTN
Group`s definition (ie subscribers who have made or received a revenue
generating call in the last 90 days).
The attached analysis is prepared on a regional basis. The SEA region
contributed to 37% of the Group total subscribers and WECA and MENA regions were
49% and 14% respectively.
The South and East Africa (SEA) region increased its subscriber base by 6% for
the quarter. Growth in the region was driven principally by MTN Group`s South
African operation, which showed a healthy improvement in net connections for the
quarter with subscribers increasing by 4% for the 3 months to 13,030,000, while
Uganda had a 10% growth to 1,757,000 subscribers over the same period.
In the West and Central Africa (WECA) region the 10% growth for the quarter is
still mainly from MTN Nigeria and to a lesser extent Ghana and Cote d`Ivoire.
Nigeria achieved subscriber growth of 9% in the quarter reaching 13,384,000
subscribers. Ghana increased its base by 13% to 2,924,000 subscribers and Cote
d`Ivoire by a healthy 22% to 1,975,000 subscribers over the same period.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region recorded subscriber growth of 28%
for the quarter mainly due to the aggressive subscriber acquisition by Iran who,
off albeit a low base, grew 601% to 1,080,000 subscribers from December last
year. There was also continued strong growth in Afghanistan (62%) and to a
lesser extent Sudan (11%).
ARPU is defined as being the Average Revenue per User on a monthly basis and is
generally disclosed in any financial year on a year-to-date basis. MTN South
Africa`s ARPU reduced by 10% to R148 in line with seasonal trends and the
stepped change as the new year`s average takes affect. The ARPUs of most of the
Group`s other operations have followed a similar trend. Nigerian and Ghanaian
ARPUs remained strong at $17 and $16 respectively, while Iran ARPU increased as
coverage improved and more subscribers were taken on.
Subscriber numbers
Dec 06 Mar 07 Quarter
Subs `000 Subs %
`000
South and East
Africa
South Africa * 12,483 13,030 4%
Post-paid 2,132 2,438 14%
Pre-paid 10,351 10,592 2%
Uganda ** 1,595 1,757 10%
Mascom - Botswana 600 648 8%
Rwanda ** 384 426 11%
Swaziland 268 286 7%
Zambia 187 227 21%
Sub total 15,517 16,374 6%
West and Central
Africa
Nigeria 12,281 13,384 9%
Ghana # 2,585 2,924 13%
Cameroon 1,783 1,857 4%
Ivory Coast 1,625 1,975 22%
Benin # 476 514 8%
Congo - Brazzaville 280 280 0%
Conakry # 276 342 24%
Liberia # 218 236 8%
Bissau # 98 116 19%
Sub total 19,622 21,629 10%
Middle East and
North Africa
Syria # 2,237 2,381 6%
Iran 154 1,080 601%
Yemen # 1,161 1,216 5%
Sudan # 1,066 1,179 11%
Afghanistan # 218 354 62%
Cyprus # 76 87 15%
Sub total # 4,912 6,297 28%
TOTAL 40,051 44,301 11%
ARPU
Dec 06 Mar 07 Quarter
ARPU ARPU %
South and East
Africa
South Africa * R 164 R 148 -10%
Post-paid R 487 R 445 -9%
Pre-paid R 94 R 87 -7%
Uganda ** $12 $11 -8%
Mascom - Botswana *$17 $15 -12%
Rwanda ** $17 $14 -18%
Swaziland $20 $18 -10%
Zambia $19 $11 -42%
West and Central
Africa
Nigeria $18 $17 -6%
Ghana # $17 $16 -6%
Cameroon $15 $14 -7%
Ivory Coast $18 $15 -17%
Benin # *$16 $15 -6%
Congo - Brazzaville $20 $17 -15%
Conakry # $17 $13 -24%
Liberia # $18 $19 6%
Bissau # *$15 $17 13%
Middle East and
North Africa
Syria # *$22 $20 -9%
Iran $9 $10 11%
Yemen # $10 $9 -10%
Sudan # $16 $15 -6%
Afghanistan # $14 $12 -14%
Cyprus # $35 $36 3%
* Restated
Fairland
3 April 2007
Sponsor
Merrill Lynch SA (Pty) Limited
Date: 03/05/2007 12:35:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. |