MTN Group Limited - MTN Group Release Of Subscriber Numbers For The Quarter
Ended 30 June 2005
MTN Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1994/009584/06)
Share code MTN
ISIN ZAE000042164
(`MTN Group` or `the Group`)
MTN GROUP RELEASE OF SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 JUNE 2005
As of 30 June 2005, MTN Group recorded 17,039,000 capable subscribers on its
networks operated in South Africa and other African countries. This represents
an increase of 8.9% since 31 March 2005, the end of the last reporting period.
Compared to 30 June 2004, this represents a 50% year-on-year growth in
subscribers (as measured on the previous subscriber definition for the
international operations). With effect from 1 July 2005, the Group has acquired
a 51% interest in Loteny Telecom, a cellular operator in the Republic of Ivory
Coast which at present has over 900,000 subscribers on its network and as a
result would increase MTN Group`s total subscribers to close to 18 million.
MTN South Africa increased its subscriber base by 5.1% to 8,407,000 subscribers.
This consists of 1,457,000 post-paid subscribers and 6,950,000 pre-paid
subscribers, with increases of 4.7% and 5.1% since 31 March 2005 respectively.
Blended average revenue per user per month (ARPU) reduced in line with
expectations to R 169. Pre-paid ARPU of R 88 and post-paid ARPU of R 555 were
recorded.
MTN`s international operations recorded a total of 8,632,000 subscribers, an
increase of 13.0% since 31 March 2005, and accounted for 50.7% of the total
subscriber base. MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN Nigeria) contributed
73.9% or 6,379,000 to the international subscriber base.
Since 1 April 2005, the following key operational and strategic events occurred:
- MTN South Africa commercially launched 3G services to its customers;
- MTN Group acquired a 51% interest in Loteny Telecom, a cellular operator in
the Republic of Ivory Coast, effective 1 July 2005;
- MTN Group concluded agreements to acquire 100% of Telecel Zambia. This
transaction is still subject to certain regulatory approvals; and
- MTN Group acquired the remaining 40% in MTN Network Solutions (Pty) Ltd.
Further details on subscriber numbers and ARPU trends are provided below.
MTN Group defines a capable subscriber as a person having made or received a
call within a 90-day period. While this definition was utilized for the South
African operations over the past years, the international operations adopted
this definition as of the beginning of the reporting period. Comparatives are
provided where appropriate.
MTN Group subscribers based on a 90-day activity period as of 30 June 2005
compared to 31 March 2005 for all operations:
30 June 2005 31 March 2005 % change
South Africa 8,407,000 8,001,000 5.1%
Pre-paid 6,950,000 6,610,000 5.1%
Post-paid 1,457,000 1,391,000 4.7%
International 8,632,000 7,640,000 13.0%
Nigeria 6,379,000 5,574,000 14.4%
Cameroon 1,014,000 919,000 10.3%
Uganda 839,000 782,000 7.3%
Rwanda 227,000 209,000 8.6%
Swaziland 173,000 156,000 10.9%
TOTAL 17,039,000 15,641,000 8.9%
International subscriber base based on previous 30-day activity level:
30 June 2005 31 March 2005 % change
International 6,728,000 6,307,000 6.7%
Nigeria 4,648,000 4,392,000 5.8%
Cameroon 954,000 863,000 10.5%
Uganda 761,000 719,000 5.8%
Rwanda 205,000 188,000 9.0%
Swaziland 160,000 145,000 10.3%
The ARPU table below compares monthly ARPU for the 3-month period from 1 April
2005 to 30 June 2005 to monthly ARPU for the 12-month period from 1 April 2004
to 31 March 2005 for all operations based on new and old subscriber definition:
30 June 2005 30 June 2005 31 March 2005
(new (old (old
definition) definition) definition)
South Africa R 169 R 169 R 184
Pre-paid R 88 R 88 R 97
Post-paid R 555 R 555 R 576
International
Nigeria US$ 23 US$ 31 US$ 40
Cameroon US$ 18 US$ 19 US$ 23
Uganda US$ 15 US$ 17 US$ 19
Rwanda US$ 17 US$ 19 US$ 19
Swaziland US$ 22 US$ 24 US$ 29
27 July 2005
Johannesburg
Sponsor
Merrill Lynch South Africa |