MTN
MTN
MTN - MTN Group Limited - Release of subscriber numbers for the quarter ended
30 September 2010
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 2010
MTN Group recorded 134,471,000 subscribers at 30 September 2010. This is a 4%
increase for the quarter from 129,214,000 subscribers recorded at 30 June 2010.
This is a satisfactory result despite aggressive competition and continued
regulatory challenges in key markets. Most key markets continue to increase or
maintain market share due to high quality networks, attractive value
propositions and efficient distribution. The company also continues to drive
group wide initiatives including mobile data value propositions and mobile money
contributing to maintaining our market leadership.
The South and East African region, which contributes 22% to the Group`s
subscriber base, increased its subscribers by 4.9% to 30,081,000 for the quarter
mainly driven by growth in South Africa. South Africa which contributes 59% to
the region`s subscribers increased its base by, 3.9% to 17,772,000 subscribers
for the quarter ended 30 September 2010. This was driven by continued growth in
the prepaid segment which added 616 000 subscribers. The success of the value
proposition "MTN Zone Mahala" and sustained positive brand awareness contributed
to the operations successful performance. MTN Uganda increased its base by 5% to
6,215,000 for the quarter as competition continued to intensify.
The West and Central African region contributes 46% to the Group`s subscribers
and increased its subscribers by 3.4% to 61,380,000. . Nigeria, which
contributes 60% to the region`s subscribers, recorded a 5.1% increase in its
subscriber base to 36,841,000. Superior network quality and a success of the
distribution framework continue to be the main strengths of the operation. As
anticipated, Ghana subscriber numbers declined from 8,723,000 at the end of June
2010 to 8,459,000 at 30 September 2010 following the implementation of SIM
registration on 1 July 2010. The impact of the new requirements initially
lowered gross connections resulting in net negative subscriber growth in July
and August which started to normalize in September2010. Cameroon and Cote
d`Ivoire increased their subscriber bases by 4% and 3.1% to 4,680,000 and
4,996,000, respectively as competitive and regulatory challenges persist.
The Middle East and North African region contributes 32% the Group subscribers
and increased its subscribers by 4.1% to 43,011,000. The growth within the
region was largely due to the Iranian operation, which contributes 66% to the
region`s subscribers. MTN Irancell increased its subscribers by 5.6% to
28,486,000 due to attractive value propositions within the Ramadan period. Syria
increased its subscribers by 6.8% to 4,721,000 due to increased brand awareness.
Average revenue per a user ("ARPU") remained relatively stable in local currency
when compared to June 2010. MTN South Africa`s blended ARPU remained stable at
R152 compared to 30 June 2010. Prepaid ARPU continued to show an upward trend
although this was offset by the continued decline in postpaid ARPU. Nigeria and
Ghana`s ARPU remained relatively stable in both USD and local currency.
Notwithstanding high growth rates and seasonal trends, Iran`s ARPU continued to
remain relatively stable at $8 as aggressive network rollout benefits are felt.
Revised net additions guidance to 31 December 2010
New Old
(`000) (`000)
South Africa 2,300 1,800
Nigeria 7,100 6,350
Ghana 600 600
Iran 6,300 5,000
Syria 500 400
rest 6,100 7,000
Total 22,900 21,150
Subscriber Numbers
Jun-10 Sep-10 % Contribution %
change
Subs `000 Subs
`000
SEA
South Africa 17,102 17,772 3.9% 59%
Post-paid 3,206 3,261 1.7% 11%
Pre-paid 13,896 14,512 4.4% 48%
Uganda 5,919 6,215 5.0% 21%
Mascom - 1,337 1359 1.6% 5%
Botswana
Rwanda 2,200 2,394 8.8% 8%
Zambia 1,441 1,661 15.3% 6%
Swaziland 664 679 2.3% 2%
Sub total 28,664 30,081 4.9% 22%
WECA
Nigeria 35,057 36,841 5.1% 60%
Ghana 8,723 8,459 -3.0% 14%
Cameroon 4,498 4,680 4.0% 8%
Cote d`Ivoire 4,818 4,966 3.1% 8%
Benin 1,839 1,935 5.2% 3%
Conakry 1,637 1,656 1.2% 3%
Congo - 1,519 1,575 3.7% 3%
Brazzaville
Liberia 745 756 1.5% 1%
Bissau 527 511 -3.0% 1%
Sub total 59,362 61,380 3.4% 46%
MENA
Iran 26,967 28,486 5.6% 66%
Syria 4,419 4,721 6.8% 11%
Sudan 3,314 3,116 -6.0% 7%
Afghanistan 3,581 3,660 2.2% 9%
Yemen 2,675 2,788 4.2% 6%
Cyprus 232 240 3.3% 1%
Sub total 41,189 43,011 4.4% 32%
Total 129,214 134,471 4.1% 100%
Subscribers
ARPU
Jun-10 Sep-10 % change* LC % change
YTD ARPU YTD ARPU
SEA
South Africa R 152 R 152 0% 0%
Post-paid R 336 R 332 -1% -1%
Pre-paid R 109 R 110 1% 1%
Uganda $5 $5 -2% 0%
Mascom - $10 $10 3% 3%
Botswana
Rwanda $5 $5 -7% -7%
Zambia $6 $6 1% 2%
Swaziland $11 $12 9% 2%
WECA
Nigeria $11 $11 0% 0%
Ghana $7 $7 1% 1%
Cameroon $8 $8 -1% 0%
Cote d`Ivoire $7 $6 -2% -1%
Benin $9 $9 -3% -1%
Conakry $6 $6 -4% -1%
Congo - $11 $11 0% 1%
Brazzaville
Liberia $10 $10 -2% -2%
Bissau $8 $8 -7% -6%
MENA
Iran $8 $8 0% 1%
Syria $16 $16 1% 1%
Sudan $4 $5 4% 5%
Afghanistan $5 $5 1% 0%
Yemen $6 $6 -1% 0%
Cyprus $33 $33 1% 2%
* %`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.
Fairland
28 October 2010
Sponsor
Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited
Date: 28/10/2010 12:02:05 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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