Trading Update For MTN Group
MTN GROUP LIMITED
(formerly M-CELL LIMITED)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1994/009584/06)
(Share code MTN ISIN ZAE000042164)
("MTN Group" or "the Company")
TRADING UPDATE FOR MTN GROUP
As at 31 December 2002, the Company recorded a total of 6 661 000 mobile
subscribers on its networks in South Africa and other African countries. This is
a 17.7% growth during the third quarter ended 31 December 2002, and a 39.5%
growth since 1 April 2002, the beginning of the Company`s current financial
year.
MTN South Africa increased its pre-paid capable subscriber base to 3 944 000
subscribers and added 37 000 subscribers to its post paid base, which stood at
928 000 on 31 December 2002. Blended Average Revenue Per User ("ARPU") numbers
remained at R210 per month. Post-paid ARPU currently stands at R611 per month,
while pre-paid ARPU of R103 per month was recorded. Pre-paid subscribers now
constitute 81% of MTN South Africa`s subscriber base.
MTN International continued to experience strong subscriber growth of 30% to 1
789 000 total subscribers for the quarter 1 October 2002 to 31 December 2002 and
total growth of 99.5% since the beginning of the financial year commencing 1
April 2002. MTN Nigeria Communications Limited ("MTN Nigeria") contributed 908
000 subscribers, a 49.1% increase since 1 October 2002, and reached the one
million subscriber mark on 10 February 2003.
Subscriber numbers for the MTN Group`s remaining international operations
together with percentage changes since 1 October 2002 are as follows:
MTN Cameroon Limited ("MTN Cameroon") - 381 000 - + 20.6%
MTN Uganda Limited ("MTN Uganda") - 336 000 - + 12.8%
RwandaCell S.A.R.L ("MTN Rwanda") - 97 000 - + 7.8%
SwaziMTN Limited ("MTN Swaziland") - 67 000 - + 6.3%
ARPU levels in US$ for the respective countries are as follows:
- MTN Nigeria 54
- MTN Cameroon 22
- MTN Uganda 33
- MTN Rwandacell 27
- MTN Swaziland 22
Sandton
11 February 2003
Sponsor
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Limited
Date: 11/02/2003 04:00:00 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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