Wrap Text
MTN - MTN Group Limited - Release Of Subscriber Numbers For The Quarter Ended
31 March 2010
MTN Group Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1994/009584/06)
Share code: MTN
ISIN: ZAE000042164
RELEASE OF SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2010
MTN Group recorded 123,580,000 subscribers at 31 March 2010. This is a 7%
increase for the quarter from 116,025,000 subscribers recorded at 31 December
2009.
The attached analysis is presented on a regional basis. The three regions`
subscribers continue to grow at marginally different rates although, when
compared to December 2009, the relative subscriber contribution between the
regions remains unchanged. South and East Africa (SEA) region contributed 22%
(December 2009: 23%) of the Group`s total subscribers while West and Central
Africa (WECA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) contributed 46% (December
2009: 46%) and 32% (December 2009: 32%), respectively.
The SEA region increased its subscriber base by 4% for the quarter. The South
African operation contributes 60% to the region`s subscribers, increasing 2.2%
to 16,424,000 for the quarter ended 31 March 2010. The positive net additions of
358,000 signal a more normalized growth pattern following the effect of the RICA
implementation in the second half of 2009. The growth was mainly attributable to
increased brand awareness including the "Ayoba" campaign and the continued
success of the "Mahala" campaign. Uganda increased its subscriber base by 8% to
5,615,000 despite aggressive competition.
The WECA region increased its subscriber base by 7% for the quarter. The strong
growth in the region was primarily due to growth in Nigeria which contributes
59% to the region`s subscribers. Nigeria recorded an 8% increase in its
subscriber base to 33,301,000 as network quality and the continued success of
the distribution framework allowed for a competitive advantage. Ghana increased
its subscriber base by 5% to 8,431,000 within an increasingly competitive
market. This is due to improved network quality combined with a strong brand
position. Cameroon and Cote d`Ivoire increased their subscriber bases by 2% and
4% to 4,443,000 and 4,590,000, respectively.
The MENA region recorded an 8% increase in subscribers for the quarter. The
growth within the region was largely due to the Iran operation, which
contributes 64% to the region`s subscribers and increased its subscribers by 9%
to 25,386,000. Iran`s continued subscriber growth is due to acquisition
promotions that remain compelling. Syria increased its subscribers marginally by
1% to 4,297,000.
MTN South Africa`s blended average revenue per a user ("ARPU") increased by 7%
to R155. This was due to a 9% increase in prepaid ARPU to R108. Nigeria and
Ghana`s ARPU declined each by 10%, to $11 and $7, respectively as a result of
increased penetration into lower market segments and seasonal trends.
Notwithstanding high growth rates and seasonal trends, Iran`s ARPU remain
relatively stable at $8.
Subscriber Numbers
Dec-09 Mar-10 % change Contribution %
Subs `000 Subs `000
SEA
South Africa 16,067 16,424 2.2% 60%
Post-paid 3,023 3,116 3.1% 11%
Pre-paid 13,044 13,308 2.0% 49%
Uganda 5,222 5,615 8% 21%
Mascom - Botswana 1,202 1,215 1% 4%
Rwanda 1,854 2,050 11% 8%
Swaziland 642 662 3% 2%
Zambia 1,165 1,293 11% 5%
Sub total 26,152 27,259 4% 22%
WECA
Nigeria 30,827 33,301 8% 59%
Ghana 8,001 8,431 5% 15%
Cameroon 4,364 4,443 2% 8%
Cote d`Ivoire 4,424 4,590 4% 8%
Benin 1,564 1,686 8% 3%
Conakry 1,273 1,467 15% 3%
Congo - Brazzaville 1,274 1,380 8% 2%
Liberia 719 731 2% 1%
Bissau 413 453 10% 1%
Sub total 52,859 56,483 7% 46%
MENA
Syria 4,249 4,297 1% 11%
Iran 23,260 25,386 9% 64%
Sudan 3,773 4,042 7% 10%
Afghanistan 3,186 3,390 6% 9%
Yemen 2,343 2,509 7% 6%
Cyprus 205 214 4% 1%
Sub total 37,014 39,838 8% 32%
Total Subscribers 116,025 123,580 7% 100%
ARPU
Dec-09 Mar-10 % change* LC % change
YTD ARPU YTD ARPU
SEA
South Africa R 145 R 155 7% 7%
Post-paid R 365 R 357 -2% -2%
Pre-paid R 100 R 108 9% 9%
Uganda $6 $6 -11% -12%
Mascom - Botswana $11 $10 -7% -11%
Rwanda $6 $6 -10% -10%
Swaziland $13 $13 4% -5%
Zambia $7 $6 -8% -14%
WECA
Nigeria $12 $11 -10% -9%
Ghana $8 $7 -10% -9%
Cameroon $9 $9 -9% -8%
Cote d`Ivoire $9 $7 -19% -18%
Benin $12 $10 -20% -19%
Conakry $7 $6 -18% -7%
Congo - Brazzaville $13 $11 -11% -10%
Liberia $11 $9 -13% -13%
Bissau $10 $8 -12% -11%
MENA
Iran $8 $8 -2% -1%
Syria $18 $16 -11% -12%
Sudan $5 $5 -16% -17%
Afghanistan $5 $5 -4% -8%
Yemen $7 $6.48 -12% -7%
Cyprus $39 $35 -11% -13%
* %`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
29 April 2010
Sponsor
Deutsche Securities (SA)
(Proprietary) Limited
Date: 29/04/2010 12:31:07 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za
Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS.
Sharenet Sites 
