MTN Group records over 24 million subscribers across its operations- 15 May 2006
The MTN Group today announced that it recorded a 55% year-on-year growth in subscriber numbers in its operations to 24 185 000. This represents a 4% increase since the last reported period ended 31 December 2005. Excluding operations acquired in the previous financial period, year-on-year subscriber growth is 43%.
The MTN Group’s international operations recorded a total of 13 986 000 subscribers - an increase of 8% since December 2005, now accounting for 58% of the Group’s subscriber base (31 December 2005: 56%). MTN Nigeria remains the biggest of the international operations, with its closing base of 9 036000 being 65% of the Group’s subscribers outside of South Africa.
MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Phuthuma Nhleko, says: “These figures reflect the development of the MTN Group into an increasingly diversified entity. The anticipated conclusion of our partnership with Investcom will accelerate this trend. We remain focused on improving performance in every operation and our regionalised management structure will support our efforts.”
MTN South Africa reports 10 199 000 subscribers, with post-paid acquisitions remaining strong while the pre-paid base declined due to expected churn following the highly acquisitive final quarter of 2005. The strong growth in the final quarter of last year was mainly due a pre-paid product promotion which has since been terminated, and net connections have since normalised.
Prior year’s ARPUs for the first quarter included the impact of annual revenue and annual average subscriber growth. The most important impact of the changed reporting basis is the decline in South African and Nigerian ARPU numbers. In line with expectations, South Africa recorded pre-paid ARPU of R87 and post-paid ARPU of R493. Blended ARPU reduced to R155. In line with the Group’s expectations, MTN Nigeria recorded ARPU of US$19, a 5% quarter-on-quarter reduction. When compared to the nine months ended 31 December 2005, the quarter’s ARPU dropped by US$3 or 14%.
MTN’s operations in Iran are still on target to launch in August 2006, within its licence commitment.
Adapted from MTN Press Release
