MTN
MTN
MTN - MTN Group Limited - Release of subscriber numbers for the quarter ended 30
September 2008
MTN Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration Number 1994/009584/06)
(Share code MTN & ISIN ZAE000042164)
("MTN")
RELEASE OF SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 September 2008
MTN Group recorded 80,736,000 subscribers at 30 September 2008. This is a 9%
increase for the quarter from 74,058,000 subscribers recorded at 30 June 2008.
The attached analysis is presented on a regional basis. The proportional
subscriber contribution between the regions remains unchanged with that at 30
June 2008. South and East Africa (SEA) region contributed 28% of the Group`s
total subscribers while West and Central Africa (WECA) and Middle East and North
Africa (MENA) contributed 44% and 28% respectively.
The SEA region increased its subscriber base by 7% for the quarter. The South
African operation contributes 72% to the region`s subscribers, with its
subscribers increasing 4% to 16,173,000 for the quarter ended 30 September 2008.
Postpaid net connections were satisfactory for the quarter. Prepaid growth was
underpinned by the value proposition, MTN Zone, which was enhanced to include
off net calls and which continues to be a success. Uganda increased its
subscriber base by 16% following the introduction of MTN Zone in late July, with
approximately 2 million subscribers on this price plan at 30 September 2008.
The WECA region increased its subscriber base by 10% for the quarter. Nigeria
contributes 56% to the region`s subscribers and recorded a 9% increase in its
subscriber base to 20,171,000. Aggressive network rollout in Nigeria continued
in Q3 with 524 BTS`s rolled out during the quarter. Quality of service improved
significantly resulting in the advertising ban being lifted by the regulator. In
the WECA region MTN Zone was introduced in Ghana, Cameroon and Benin during the
period under review. Ghana rolled out 377 BTS`s and increased its subscriber
base by 14% to 5,713,000. Both Cameroon and Cote d`Ivoire increased their
subscriber bases by 7% to 3,313,000 and 3,243,000 respectively.
The MENA region recorded a 10% increase in subscribers for the quarter. This was
mainly due to continued growth from the Iran operation, which increased its
subscribers by 13% to 13,139,000. Following the substantial disconnections in
Q2, subscriber growth in Sudan has started to show an improvement with a 7%
increase in its subscribers to 2,266,000. Syria`s more modest increase of 2% is
attributed to a slowdown in acquisitions during the Ramadan period.
MTN South Africa`s blended ARPU increased by 1% indicating that rising inflation
has still not had an unfavourable affect on the quantum of disposable income
allocated to telecommunications. Nigeria, Ghana, Iran and Cameroon ARPU`s remain
robust not withstanding seasonal trends and increased penetration.
Subscriber Numbers
Jun-08 Sep-08 Quarterly % Contribution
change %
Subs `000 Subs `000
SEA
South Africa * 4% 72%
15,590 16,173
Post-paid 2% 12%
2,588 2,648
Pre-paid 4% 60%
13,002 13,525
Uganda 16% 14%
2,776 3,228
Mascom - Botswana 1% 4%
885 890
Rwanda 18% 4%
834 988
Swaziland 9% 2%
457 501
Zambia 29% 3%
453 582
Sub total 7% 28%
20,995 22,362
WECA
Nigeria 9% 56%
18,565 20,171
Ghana 14% 16%
4,997 5,713
Cameroon 7% 9%
3,106 3,313
Cote d`Ivoire 7% 9%
3,030 3,243
Conakry 14% 3%
797 911
Benin 6% 2%
779 828
Congo - Brazzaville 58% 2%
522 823
Liberia 8% 1%
407 440
Bissau 6% 1%
303 323
Sub total 10% 44%
32,506 35,765
MENA
Iran 11,593 13% 58%
13,139
Syria 2% 15%
3,375 3,458
Sudan 7% 10%
2,109 2,266
Yemen 5% 8%
1,725 1,812
Afghanistan 10% 8%
1,627 1,793
Cyprus 10% 1%
128 141
Sub total 10% 28%
20,557 22,609
Grand Total 9% 100%
74,058 80,736
ARPU
Jun-08 Sep-08 Quarterly %
change*
YTD ARPU YTD ARPU
SEA
South Africa ** R145 R147 1%
Post-paid R405 R409 1%
Pre-paid R92 R94 2%
Uganda $9 $9 1%
Mascom - Botswana $13 $13 0%
Rwanda $11 $11 1%
Swaziland $15 $15 0%
Zambia $12 $12 -1%
WECA
Nigeria $16 $17 1%
Ghana $14 $13 -9%
Cameroon $12 $12 -2%
Cote d`Ivoire $11 $11 -2%
Benin $16 $17 1%
Congo - Brazzaville $23 $20 -13%
Conakry $10 $10 -1%
Liberia $16 $14 -8%
Bissau $12 $11 -3%
MENA
Syria $19 $20 2%
Iran $9 $9 -1%
Yemen $8 $8 -1%
Sudan $7 $7 -5%
Afghanistan $6 $6 -1%
Cyprus $45 $46 1%
* %`s are based on actual and not rounded figures
Subscribers are customers who have participated in a revenue generating activity
in the last 90 days. ARPU is the monthly weighted average revenue per
subscriber. Revenue includes interconnect fees and excludes connection fees and
visitor roaming revenue, and this is divided by the weighted average subscriber
base over the period.
** South Africa subscribers and ARPU`s include community service payphones into
pre-paid and application providers into post-paid.
31 October 2008
Sponsor
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Limited
Date: 31/10/2008 09:02:18 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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